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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 13 minutes ago | Replies (6412)Comment receiving replies
I started tapering off of Effexor a couple of weeks ago and recently found myself besieged by the most terrifying symptoms. I was sobbing last night in my boyfriend's arms saying, "I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid...." I can't believe the anxiety that I feel; it is unlike anything I've ever experienced in my whole life. I can't go out because the idea of being social terrifies me. I'm in a constant state of barely contained hysteria and fear. Of what? I don't know. I've even thought of going into the emergency room today and just collapsing there...begging for someone/something to mitigate my symptoms. I feel like I'm dying. I get so hungry that I feel nauseated, and if I can't eat right away, I start crying (this from an eating disordered person who used to fast all day long for years). I'm so tired and everything overwhelms me. All behaviors that I formerly used to do to "power through" feelings of depression are useless to me...good and bad. Exercise, drinking, overeating, self-help, being alone and reading to "recharge" my batteries...nothing works; I've exhausted all methods of coping and have never been so scared in my life. Luckily, I talked to a friend who said she's had a similar event in her life, which made me feel better. I've felt so alone, putting on a brave face, going out and trying to be social, going to work and trying to be productive, dragging myself to the gym....all the while feeling like I'm going to break in a million different pieces. I didn't know who to tell because I didn't think anyone would understand, but she made me realize that there is something very wrong in my body/brain (perhaps hormonal in addition to the withdrawal symptoms as I am 48 years old) that is not uncommon and can be fixed. Just knowing that this may have happened to others makes me feel better...again, the barely contained hysteria at trying to seem "normal" has only exacerbated my feelings of desperate helplessness. I think of suicide all of the time...not because I'm sad necessarily, but because I just want to stop feeling this way. I just want to be me again...regular, old, fucked up me...not this helpless, scared, child that I've become. Sorry to write so much, but this has been hell. I hope it helps someone else get through to the other side. As for me, I've put in my second call to my prescriber begging for help. My next stop is the emergency room if I have to, but feeling better just getting it out in the open anyway...all the best
Replies to "I started tapering off of Effexor a couple of weeks ago and recently found myself besieged..."
I definitely relate. One minute I'm angry at everything, next I'm so sad I'm wiping tears, and lately I've been sleeping with my table lamp on all night because I'm afraid!!! Of what, I don't know. I think I am getting all of my long lost feelings back. This is brutal and I'm beginning to fear that I will need an antidepressant in the long run, but it won't be Effexor!
You may be tapering off the Effexor too quickly.
I had these same overwhelming feelings of fear (although of what I couldn't have said) as well as of not wanting to be alone and needing to pace and rock--but mine started about six weeks, or so after my final dose of Effexor after a slow taper (see my post of six days ago and the one three days ago re rebalancing brain chemistry and what I'm taking). L-tryptophan (I found some at Vitam*n Sh*ppe before ordering a highly recommended brand online) helped me immediately with this agitation.
During the tapering phase, if you take supplements to help with your withdrawal symptoms, take care that the supplements you take do not interact with your medication(s); talk to your doctor about potential contraindications. I found this article helpful--https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/03/19/10-best-supplements-for-antidepressant-withdrawal/.
I mostly found relief in supplements, but even so, I had to use small doses of the Valium my doctor prescribed to help me through "Effexor discontinuation." Another topic to discuss with your doctor.
Hope this helps.
It is very concerning that you are having suicidal thoughts.
"A subset of individuals will experience suicidal thoughts after discontinuation of Effexor. In the event that you experience suicidal thoughts, it is imperative that you seek emergency psychiatric attention. Suicidal thoughts are usually caused by severe chemical imbalances that occur and/or are exacerbated by Effexor cessation. A psychiatrist will help provide treatments to get these thoughts under control.--https://www.4mind4life.com/effexor-withdrawal-symptoms
Please tell your doctor.
Hope you’re doing ok and thanks for sharing.
I’m checking to see how you are. It’s now 5 years later but I’m currently where you were then….. it makes my heart hurt to know someone else is where I am now - yet I somehow feel like less of a weirdo.
Please let me know you’re alright and loving your life again ❤️
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@alispalmer I’m so glad you have a friend who has been through similar experiences. I think that must be be a huge help.
From everything I have read here this a miserable experience but worth it in the end. I hope you can make it through, if that is the best thing for you.
Please keep us informed on how you are doing.
JK