Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I was on venlafaxine for roughly 6 years @ 225 mg per day. Luckily Igot fired from the job that caused my anxiety issues. I took my last two months worth of meds and began to cut my dosages down over a 3 month period. I will not lie, it was hard but I did it and felt lousy while detoxing. each time i stepped down on the meds it took roughly two weeks for my braine to settle down where i would start to feel normal again, then two week later another step down, and feel like crap again until you’re completely off (3mo for me). My saving grace is that I had help with medical marijuana. I am not just talking about getting high on the THC portion!! I am talking about the CBD portion which is effective in treating Anxiety well as Epilepsy and doesn’t get you high. I have been off that horrible drug roughy 2 months and feel better in many ways. I hope you all find your PEACE ✌️ within!!! It is possibly. Goodluck.

I was on venlafaxine for roughly 6 years @ 225 mg per day. Luckily Igot fired from the job that caused my anxiety issues. I took my last two months worth of meds and began to cut my dosages down over a 3 month period. I will not lie, it was hard but I did it and felt lousy while detoxing. each time i stepped down on the meds it took roughly two weeks for my braine to settle down where i would start to feel normal again, then two week later another step down, and feel like crap again until you’re completely off (3mo for me). My saving grace is that I had help with medical marijuana. I am not just talking about getting high on the THC portion!! I am talking about the CBD portion which is effective in treating Anxiety well as Epilepsy and doesn’t get you high. I have been off that horrible drug roughy 2 months and feel better in many ways. I hope you all find your PEACE ✌️ within!!! It is possibly. Goodluck.

I was on venlafaxine for roughly 6 years @ 225 mg per day. Luckily Igot fired from the job that caused my anxiety issues. I took my last two months worth of meds and began to cut my dosages down over a 3 month period. I will not lie, it was hard but I did it and felt lousy while detoxing. each time i stepped down on the meds it took roughly two weeks for my braine to settle down where i would start to feel normal again, then two week later another step down, and feel like crap again until you’re completely off (3mo for me). My saving grace is that I had help with medical marijuana. I am not just talking about getting high on the THC portion!! I am talking about the CBD portion which is effective in treating Anxiety well as Epilepsy and doesn’t get you high. I have been off that horrible drug roughy 2 months and feel better in many ways. I hope you all find your PEACE ✌️ within!!! It is possibly. Goodluck.

WOW! A lot of good tips and discussions. My daughter is 21 years old and her doctor (a new doctor that had only seen her a coupled of times) put her on 75 mg Effexor XR to help fight anxiety/migraines. The doctor felt this was the best medicine for her since she has tachycardia. Well, she wasn't even on it for 30 days before she had the full effects of this medicine and eventually went to the ER because of thoughts of harming herself and unable to function. They did not hold her there, but told her to go home and follow up with her doctor. Her father and I have been then for her and made she was not home alone for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we are unable to take much time off because of no sick/vacation time available. She is unable to work and is now home alone for 3 to 4 days a week. She followed up with her doctor (a new one because the other one is no longer there). They have been tapering her off, one pill every other day and then try every two days and then referred her to a behaviorist. We have tried getting her into a professional, but no one in our area is available. I have left messages for other clinics outside of area and no one will return my call. She has tried the every 2 days one time and it was horrible sight. She starting having body tremors, couldn't breath and crying uncontrollably. We immediately gave her the pill and within 1 hr she was a little better. She followed up with her doctor and we asked about reducing her dosage and still do the every other day. The doctor was a little reluctant, but agreed to reduce it to 37.5 mg every other day. She is still unable to work at this time. She just cannot function in the real world.

Does anyone out there have some advise for us? We have never been through anything like this before and as you can imagine, scared to death.

Bright wings checking in...Today I am 9 weeks antidepressant free. I know the only reason I was able to succeed getting off the drug was CBD oil and Sacred plant medicine. The next ceremony is on the 23rd and I am ready!
Ok so to evaluate how I am doing...my life is calm. However, other folks lives around me are not calm. I am easier to get grumpy at the ongoing drama that just won't let up in their lives. I care about these folks, so I am being as supportive as I can while still taking care of myself. That means sometimes I just have to get off the internet. I know I have to take care of myself because folks will just use me up if I don't. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again.
I have recently hooked up with my graduation class. Our 50 year reunion is in October. I am so excited. I lived to be invisible in high school. I didn't understand I was doing this at the time. I want to do a stand up comedy routine. I know I will have the folks who attend roaring with laughter.
My abuse was ongoing in the night but I had developed so many personalities to handle my ongoing sexual abuse that started at age 3 months. BTW I integrated the last of my personalities on 1/11/11.
Because of my multiple sclerosis, I have to be careful about getting too hot. However, I am eager to get my kayaks out and hit the river again. I live in the beautiful Ozarks and the rivers here are what drew me here.
I am here for you all. I read every post. Sending you my beautiful smile and all the encouragement I have. Bright wings

I am posting this so any that are interested can participate.
The NEXT SACRED CEREMONY in southern Missouri is scheduled for June 23, it starts at 9 am. Don't be late unless you have long distances to travel. I like to get there the evening before. The folks who attend are so wonderful, interesting, and healing folks.
The church is called New Haven Native American Church, Ava, Missouri. Google it.
There is a small chapel to stay in overnight if you choose. Lots of others will be there. We are up to about 70 or so folks every ceremony.
The location of the ceremony is 14 miles west of Ava, Missouri, straight west of Ava on highway 14. When you cross the Bryant River, you are there. Turn right at first driveway after river.
This ceremony is called Be Still in The Moment. Or Peyote. These sacred medicines have allowed me to get off the antidepressants. AND Ayawaska ended my depression.
So any questions, ask away. Smiling at you, Hope to see you there. Bright Wings

WOW! A lot of good tips and discussions. My daughter is 21 years old and her doctor (a new doctor that had only seen her a coupled of times) put her on 75 mg Effexor XR to help fight anxiety/migraines. The doctor felt this was the best medicine for her since she has tachycardia. Well, she wasn't even on it for 30 days before she had the full effects of this medicine and eventually went to the ER because of thoughts of harming herself and unable to function. They did not hold her there, but told her to go home and follow up with her doctor. Her father and I have been then for her and made she was not home alone for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we are unable to take much time off because of no sick/vacation time available. She is unable to work and is now home alone for 3 to 4 days a week. She followed up with her doctor (a new one because the other one is no longer there). They have been tapering her off, one pill every other day and then try every two days and then referred her to a behaviorist. We have tried getting her into a professional, but no one in our area is available. I have left messages for other clinics outside of area and no one will return my call. She has tried the every 2 days one time and it was horrible sight. She starting having body tremors, couldn't breath and crying uncontrollably. We immediately gave her the pill and within 1 hr she was a little better. She followed up with her doctor and we asked about reducing her dosage and still do the every other day. The doctor was a little reluctant, but agreed to reduce it to 37.5 mg every other day. She is still unable to work at this time. She just cannot function in the real world.

Does anyone out there have some advise for us? We have never been through anything like this before and as you can imagine, scared to death.

@dianrib @kssm71 @cdileonardo4 @grandmar
Google: Vape Shop or CBD oil and the name of the town you live in or the city the Wal-Mart is at near you.
Now I went and got mine today. Long story short, I have only been using 6 or 7 mg of CBD. I have not been here much. Been feeling crappy.
However, I am the best one to evaluate what is going on with me so I pay attention to what is going on inside me. I have been noticing more anxiety. Now is this my MS or withdrawal? Or is this related to being off the drug which is different from withdrawal.
It is up to us to be the detective as to what is happening and why?
Or we can trot down to the doc and let them drug us. Me, I prefer to be in charge of my own life.
So I have increased my CBD oil to 50 mg 3 times a day. I don't feel like eating (except junk food), so I have to be proactive and make sure I have food ready to grab and eat or I will grab junk.
Food I keep on hand...herring, hummus, tortillas and avacados, mangos, what ever fruit is on sale, I keep cooked chicken breast or bbq chicken or ribs in the freezer. I live alone so I am only cooking for me but often have 2 to 3 folks stop by and I like to feed them.
Being pro-active helps me keep in charge of my life, not the docs. I like it this way too!
Smiling at you, hang in there, we can do this together.
I made myself a toasted cheese and it hit the spot. While we are doing something as important as getting off this drug we have to remember to be kind to ourselves. Bright Wings