Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

We really are on the same path, aren't we! And more than 2 weeks off? Hooray for you!! I am very curious to see how I will think and feel -- physically and emotionally -- now that I won't be putting any of it into my system. I feel those little zaps even as I'm writing and I'm a little woozy, but so far, everything is bearable. I do have a couple of commitments tomorrow that I really, really regret having said ``yes'' to, but I think it would be more stressful to try to get out of them than to just push on through. I keep reminding myself that neither of them has to be done perfectly and in fact it won't be the end of the world if I mess them up totally! After tomorrow, though, my week is open and I'm going to keep it that way! I'm really sorry you're getting criticism for not spending enough time with your pregnant daughter-in-law. What do they expect you to do anyway?? Rub her belly and tell her it's going to be ok?? Adult kids can be far more self-centered and demanding than they realize and it's often nearly impossible for them to view their parents as actual human beings, too. On the positive side, you'll be a much more helpful, loving granny once you get through all this -- and you're so very close to that point! I'm sorry they're so caught up in their own situation that they can't spare any concern for you as well. I know it must really hurt you. Yet you're strong, you're a survivor and you have all of us on this blog in your corner and caring for you. One day at a time, we're all getting through this -- together!!

No - never political. It's difficult regardless of where you stand.

ADD presents somewhat differently depending on age and gender...but depression and anxiety are common comorbidities. There are (as you may know) different types/mixes of ADD along three axis - inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Interestingly in women, the hyperactivity often shows as racing thoughts at night instead of the typical fidgety hyperactivity associated with boys.

Regarding your statement on others not getting it, I have never fully understood why people just don’t get it. If the heart races too fast we sweat and act ‘off’. If the stomach is upset, we get ulcers. If areas of the body don’t get what they need, results in physiology and behavior occur.

Why the brain and neurochemistry should be any different boggles the mind. Sleep deprivation and sugar lows, hyper caffeine and alcohol all affect neurochemistry. It just makes zero sense that people have and continue to exclude disorders of the brain, especially given that it controls everything and without it we are nothing but biomass.

If you havent ever heard of the ‘god center’ of the brain, it’s fascinating. Volunteers allowing neurostimulstion of different sectors of the brain demonstrated astounding changes. Stimulate one way, the volunteer is a devoted saint, stimulated another they are a total atheist. Bio electric chemistry controls the brain. Malfunctions and variations occur across the board...yet somehow people waive their hand and just dismiss all of it as malingering, hysteria, character flaws, weakness, maladaptivity and anything but a bonafide medical issue of the brain.

Thankfully changed in attitude have been happening but they are at times slow as a Byzantine bureaucracy.

I agree working physically does help. And humans yes they are unnerving to me also. I have no toletanceat all. My bf daughter living with us who i love dearly is even irritating to me,(she is 10) and of course has now decided to come out of her shell and become social and have friends over. Ugh. And we have a very overly friendly 1 year old puppy whim they screach and are aftais of. I feel like im going to lose it.

Hello everyone. I have been very keenly reading all your comments regarding your withdrawal symptom's. I find if I get outside and do some type of exhausting exercise; can be gardening, walking etc, helps my symptoms greatly. I do not enjoy being around humans at all & I have a very short fuse when dealing with anything complex. I have moved down to 37.5mgs per day (from 150mgs per day) in a few months; have hated the withdrawal symptoms although determined to continue. Have experienced same as other people, although some extras have been weird! Saying things back the front, driving my car is a challenge, really having to think when responding to questions, up for one day & really down the next, even eyesight issues; although feeling empowered in getting this far. And hope I can be totally free of taking any further medications in the future. Yoga is helping also. Great support & input from this site. Shoshi

Hi, @shoshi - I merged your post on withdrawal after 20 years of taking venlafaxine (Effexor) here to this discussion so that those whose comments you've likely read about withdrawal symptoms could see your mention of reading them and how things have gone for you.

Glad to hear you are feeling empowered in getting as far as you have through your taper, and that yoga has helped as well as support and input from Connect.

Wondering if you'd share more about the eyesight and driving issues you've experienced?

I have been on several different SSRI over the last 20 years, for my fibromyalgia. I have recently stopped venlafaxine, 5 days since last dose, and was on it for 3 years, 10 years on Prozac before that, had to change to ven because insurance quit paying for Pro. My PCP gave me 2 weeks of 75 mg and then 2 weeks of 37.5 for two weeks, with my actual starting dose of 150 mg. I did not have any problems taking the lowering doses, but the day after the last dose, my withdrawal symptoms started in. I want to be off of it because of the huge amount of weight I put on while taking it. IF i MAKE IT THROUGH THE WITHDRAWALS, I AM NEVER, EVER GOING BACK ON ANYTHING. My advice to anyone wanting or thinking about taking any type of anti-depressant, DONT DO IT!! I have begged my PCP to give me something to help me through this nightmare but her only advice was to go back on it at a lower dose and then taper off again, but I refuse to be a prisoner to these medications. My symptoms are brain zaps, fog, hot flashes, like fire, sleepy all the time, no appetite, diarrhea, aching, hard to concentrate, very grouchy, bouts of sobbing. Need I say more. PLEASE can anyone offer any decent advice, other than crawling in bed and never coming out. I need some really great, helpful advice. PLEASE!!

I don't know how helpful my comments will be, but I do really feel for you. To me, it sounds like a very fast taper, but whatever -- what's done is done. You've had 5 hellacious days BUT each one has gotten you closer to being rid of the withdrawal symptoms. I suggest googling something to the effect of ``vitamins and minerals that help in venlafaxine withdrawal'' because there's some good information online in this area. Force yourself to eat yogurt -- non the heavily sweetened kind -- or drink kefir (I like Lifeway brand because of the different flavors -- anything to get some sort of healthy food in your body. Drink tumeric tea or add turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla and some ginger to warm almond milk. I mix 8 oz. of club soda with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp of honey as a detox drink to help flush out my body. Do anything that nourishes you in a healthy way -- physically, mentally, spiritually; in other words, be very kind and gentle with yourself and to yourself. If you can walk around the block, try to do it. If not, walk down your street, then turn around and come back home. Watch comedies on TV and rent comedies from the library, Netflix, whatever your source is. This feels like the end of the world, but it isn't. It's the beginning of a new one. If you're a mom, remember the pain of labor and how it was all worthwhile because of the gift it gave you. (This is relatively easy for me to say, BTW, because I've never had a baby!! But I have been with two different friends when they gave birth, so at least I've seen the agony.) And I know this also feels like it will last forever -- but it won't. It has an END!! And the end will be worth the pain of getting there, plus the knowledge you're gaining which you'll be able to use on your own behalf in any tough situation from now on. Scream, wail, pull the covers over your head, do whatever you need to do and keep telling yourself this, too, shall pass!

@dixie66
The best advice on this site is to slowly taper off. You are going very fast. When a taper is too much (unpleasant symptoms ensue), the recommendation is to go back to the dose where you didn't experience withdrawal symptoms and stay there for a while before attempting another taper–usually to not such a drastic drop. If it's only been five days since your last dose, it may still be possible to get relief by reinitiating Effexor, then tapering more slowly.

If you don't want to reinitiate and taper, then you can treat the withdrawal symptoms with OTC products such as Ben*dryl, Dram*mine, fish oil, etc. You can click on my name and see the supplements I am taking (including l-tryptophan and GABA) which help tremendously. For the akathisia I've developed, I take Valium (prescribed for this) when it occurs. I intend to taper off these supplements as the other most important aspect to recovery is the time being off Effexor.