@farmboy
My doctor gave me a prescription for 5mg Valium that I can take when the anxiety and akathisia get out of control; I usually get relief with 1/2 of one 5mg tablet. I used my first prescription (15 pills) between June 20 and the end of August (my doctor had me take three days off work and take 2 whole pills each day to "get ahead" of the anxiety and akathisia and then, use as needed); I still have 26 out of the bottle of 30 pills picked up at the beginning of September.

Other folks have used a "Prozac bridge" to get through the withdrawal.

If you click on my name, you can read my previous posts. I've mentioned several times the supplements I'm taking. Lidtk* l-tryptophan (you CANNOT take while on Effexor) and GABA have helped me the most with anxiety. I also picked up Natural Calm, a magnesium supplement you mix and drink, from CVS. You're supposed to take it regularly for it to be effective; I only tried it once, or twice when things were really bad; I couldn't wait several days for relief--I took the Valium.