Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi All!
I hope everyone had a Happy New Year!
Just to fill you in....
I've actually lost track on how many weeks it's been since I've started cutting down on Effexor.
For those who are new, I am 63 and I've been on Effexor for over 12 years.
I was taking 2-75 mg in both the AM and PM.
I started this journey knowing that it could take me a year or more to cut back to where I'd like to be.
I'm doing it VERY slowly and 'reading' what my body has to say.
I decided that I would start by reducing one of my two PM pill by 1/4.
I'd alternate taking that every other day for 3 weeks.
I felt fine so I am taking it every day.
Sunday I will begin a new dosage.
I will take 1/2 of one of my PM pills every other night for 3 weeks.
If all is well, then I'll take it every night for another 3 weeks.
Even with such a small reduction, my head feels clearer already.
I used to feel like I was walking in a fog.
I don't think I am having any side effects.
The only thing I am realizing, is that I am NOT able to sleep more than 3 hours a night.
I'm exhausted all day! With the issues I have walking, by the afternoon, I find I am literally dragging my feet, which can become an issue, especially if I fall.
Like I said, that is the only thing I see that is different.
Anyway, when I see the doc, I'll ask about taking a small dosage of melatonin.

Slow and steady wins the race......and I don't think I can go much slower!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I know that only a doctor in a doctor-patient relationship can provide treatment. I just wanted to point out that it's not really helpful to tell someone to ask a doctor if it is assumed that they have one who cares when that isn't the reality for most people. To me, it's like when I've been told to take a vacation to treat my depression. It simply isn't in my reach to do so.

I have no idea what my plan is. For now, all I can do is wait. Increasingly I'm considering going to an "alternative" doctor. I can't actually afford it but what's another four grand in credit card debt compared to this suffering? If it works, it will be worth it because the way things are headed I can't live like this. Or I can start playing the lottery. Not much I can actually do.

As for other causes, no diagnosis. Nothing showed up on the tests that were done.

For meds, Claritin but I've been taking that daily for about 15 years now. And I've dealt with depression since my childhood - this is different. I've had hypersomnia before but then I always chose to sleep because I didn't want to be awake, rather than being sleepy. This feels like my body is not cooperating rather than depressed.

I feel your response to ask my doctor is assuming a lot. I don't know why there's still the myth of the caring family doctor. But it needs to stop being assumed. I can see the appeal but it just isn't in touch with reality. If I could make an appointment with a doctor and they actually helped, I wouldn't be here.

The real experience of medical care for not-wealthy people is a stressed out doctor who double books appointments, spends most of their five minutes in the room looking at a chart because they can't remember who you are, and demands only one issue be addressed per visit but never listens to all the symptoms so they know what is related and what isn't. And gets annoyed if you make more than 3 visits a year. So nothing ever gets solved if you have anything more complicated than the flu.

Also there are some other doctors at the same health center but my old doctor is in charge of them so that's very suspect - doctors do share unofficial info on patients and I worry I've been labeled as 'difficult' based on how they talk to me. I have had my faith in the medical system broken repeatedly. But I don't have a reasonable choice. It's medicine or falling into snake oil sellers. I'm close to giving up on all treatment and haven't only because I made a promise to try everything I could.

Besides, I never have a full selection of doctors since I'm FtM. And it's early January so booked for the next few months since people have insurance for the new year.

I'm trying to tell myself that I clearly need the sleep. I haven't somehow traveled to a place with sleeping sickness so it's probably my body doing its own thing. Would be nice if it consulted me. I used to be a responsible person. All I have is my word.

I have to believe this doesn't last forever. I can endure almost anything for a short time.

@notaround that's what gets me through things like that too, knowing it is temporary. When you can't sleep though that changes everything.
JK

I think it's GrandmaR that can't sleep at all. But thanks for the sentiment.

Thought my fellow posters here would find this article interesting (and just a little late to the party we've been having); it's about how patients are helping each other withdraw/recover from antidepressants--
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/recovery-antidepressants-patients-helping-withdraw-130646526.html

I feel your response to ask my doctor is assuming a lot. I don't know why there's still the myth of the caring family doctor. But it needs to stop being assumed. I can see the appeal but it just isn't in touch with reality. If I could make an appointment with a doctor and they actually helped, I wouldn't be here.

The real experience of medical care for not-wealthy people is a stressed out doctor who double books appointments, spends most of their five minutes in the room looking at a chart because they can't remember who you are, and demands only one issue be addressed per visit but never listens to all the symptoms so they know what is related and what isn't. And gets annoyed if you make more than 3 visits a year. So nothing ever gets solved if you have anything more complicated than the flu.

Also there are some other doctors at the same health center but my old doctor is in charge of them so that's very suspect - doctors do share unofficial info on patients and I worry I've been labeled as 'difficult' based on how they talk to me. I have had my faith in the medical system broken repeatedly. But I don't have a reasonable choice. It's medicine or falling into snake oil sellers. I'm close to giving up on all treatment and haven't only because I made a promise to try everything I could.

Besides, I never have a full selection of doctors since I'm FtM. And it's early January so booked for the next few months since people have insurance for the new year.