Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

It helps to go out but In the evenings the anxiety returns. The problem is that I can go on for 3 days feeling great and then I start with the depression once again. Not sure why I have good and bad days. Could it be the tapering effects of the drug?

@shaker1956 What good news--just in time for Christmas! Been praying for you. It's wonderful when you can see the end of chemo.

Yesssss. I will be done around the 20th of Feb. will still feel the effects for another month or more

Happy holidays Ronnie- I agree, 37.5 sounds much better.

yay @shaker1956!

@sabrina- Yes it could be tapering off of the drugs that causes the difference in moods. I think that we have to keep in mind that we all have rotten days. Medications wont stop that. What you want to try and control are the moods that debilitate us.

@shaker-incredible news! happy holidays

@merpreb
thx

@maryathome Sabrina, that's exactly how it is, up and down. It's ok. Remind yourself its temporary.

Today let's celebrate our wins! It sounds like many of us are experiencing some great times, and this gives others hope!
I'm stable on 75 mg of effexor. I started tapering in September from a dosage of 225. I had decided to pursue an aggressive yet safe taper. I had the benefit of experiencing neurontin withdrawal for a solid year after a cold Turkey withdrawal (from 600 mg to 0 in a day, ignorant of the effects at the time). So I was fully aware and prepared for the symptoms of withdrawal from this drug when they would come. I have bad days that are mostly physical symptoms..headache, nausea, dizzy..all of them bearable. Sometimes crying jags, but that is no different from when I was on a higher dose! The same with spells of anxiety, it's no worse than it's ever been! I'm starting to think that this drug never really did anything positive for me. But, I'm still in the woods. I've heard the worst wd symptoms come at the tinier doses, so I'm prepared for that, should it happen. Every night, when my alarm sounds for me to take the capsule, I thank God and also tell myself how ..i dont want to say, proud, but maybe, give myself kudos for making this choice. We are ALL nothing but brave for taking this journey. Celebrate your own courage today and give thanks for the strength that comes from being a member of this community, I know I am going that today.