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@notaround

@proserpine
You've had an awful time of it too for sure. Have you tried icing your side? I get stabbing rib pains (not cardiac - I got all wired up and tested and my heart is surprisingly perfect) and the ice helps until an NSAID kicks in, usually ibuprofen (I think it's called paracametol elsewhere). The trick is to use a thin ice pack so that it lasts just long enough to make it nice and numb, but melts before it can cause any damage.

From what I remember about neurology, I think antidepressants can screw up the nerves in the gut so normal feedback to the brain becomes conscious pain. That or all the physical anxiety/anger isn't helping. Maybe also try mint and fresh ginger tisane. I find the combination to help a lot with stomach problems.

Or a bath with Epsom salts. I do a warm towel on the back of my neck to help with the weird neck twisting that is probably withdrawal. Occasionally I'll get a feeling of tension in my neck and then my head twists sharply to one side. Not painful but annoying and I really hope that no one sees.

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Replies to "@proserpine You've had an awful time of it too for sure. Have you tried icing your..."

Happy to say that yesterday I didn't get super sleepy (it was more like I got a dose of sleeping pills than just being tired) within a few hours of waking up like I have been for the past few weeks.

I can't seem to get to sleep tonight, but I'm still going to count this as progress. Only had a nap after work instead of also taking one during my break. I'm happy to not be sleeping away my entire life, which is a good sign I'm not in the throes of an episode.
Wish I could say I did something in particular but I think it was a matter of patience. I slept whenever I was very sleepy - maybe that helped? At first I tried to fight it and stay awake but that resulted in falling asleep sitting up which was a pain. I'm down to 75mg a day and seem to be holding stable as far as major problems.

I'm glad there are people who understand this incredibly specific kind of hell. Supporting each other makes it more bearable.