Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I just got off of the phone with my Dr's nurse and I told her I am having horrible withdrawals and she basically said that I'm nuts. She told me she never heard of such a thing. I told here to get on this website and read it herself. I am very upset and don't know what to do. If anyone wants to talk to me by phone ask me for my number. Thank you

One more thing. I was on 75mgs until the past weekend and then they told me to quit. I have 37.5 to take if you think that would help.

I'm at about 65 mg now, for about three weeks. I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any restful sleep. I'm taking an antibiotic right now for a sinus infection and wondering if that's making me so sleepy. I appreciated the suggestions Texas duchess, especially about the music, tv shows and going outside. I feel like I'm just marking time and wondering why I'm putting myself through this hell. It seems like all the joy has been sucked out if my life and dont know if its withdrawal or depression. Every day I hope it will be different but it's not. I feel for you farm boy, especially to get no support from your doctor. Its difficult enough as it is not to think we are crazy. Hang in there, everybody.

@farmboy
Yes. In years past, I used to joke that sleeping was my hobby--not anymore. I loved weekends because I'd get to sleep, sleep, sleep--not anymore. I loved holidays because I'd get to lie in and sleep--not anymore. I was fine for 6-6.5 weeks out from the last tapered dose of Effexor before my withdrawal symptoms began. They started with my having trouble sleeping--had fear/reluctance about going to sleep, circling thoughts wouldn't let me slip into sleep, couldn't sleep for very long and if I woke, the whole cycle began again--the fear, circling thoughts, difficulty dropping off. Looking back, I also had a lot of all over body aches (vague) that made me generally uncomfortable--I don't have arthritis, carpal tunnel, or anything else.

I used Ben*dryl (2 x 25mg) and supplements (kava kava, glycine and L-tryptophan). I dislike tea of any kind so never tried chamomile tea. Melatonin and valerian are supposed to be helpful, but I did not try those.

My withdrawal symptoms began mid-June; nine months out, no body aches and my sleep is much better. I am only still using L-tryptophan.

@farmboy
Just because this nurse doesn't know about Effexor withdrawal doesn't mean it isn't real and happening to you. She's not coming across as very caring, nor very respectful towards a patient. Research shows that 78% of folks have difficulty getting off anti-depressants--some a small amount, some medium and some quite A LOT. Glad you told her to read up!

I've been trying to find a doctor experienced in this issue since June; Best Doctors and Compass have not come up with anyone. My oncologist has been very open to learning more about Effexor withdrawal and prescribed Valium for those times when the anxiety and akathisia became overwhelming.

My anxiety is through the roof. They have me on Hydroxyzine and Buspirone and it doesn't even calm me down. I'm getting scared to death. I'm only a week out from last dose. I'm thinking about going and checking into somewhere.

You described me to the T. I wish we all get together and have one big hug and tell each other we'll be alright again.

I take it Valium is pretty strong stuff.

@texasduchess that's exactly it! Fear and reluctance to go to sleep even though I'm exhausted. I have to get up very early for my work, even though I'm so grateful to have a job I do from home, and I tell myself I'll go back to bed as soon as I'm finished my 3 or 4 hours of teaching. Then I lay down and refuse to sleep. I get up but I cant do anything productive. Just sit in front of the tv or the laptop watching shows or youtube videos (I sew...on good days..so i watch a lot of how to videos). But can't bring myself to actually do anything. So i might as well go back to sleep. Except i lay there thinking, circling thoughts, just like you said. I tell myself I'll go to bed early. I take ambien but it doesn't seem to help anymore. I can't get anything else for anxiety from my doctor because they already think I'm crazy (I wanted ativan last year because I had a trip to make to China and wanted something for the 16 hours on the plane, I asked if I could have enough for a trial run before making the trip to make sure I didn't have a bad reaction to it and she gave me exactly enough pills to last me 36 hours! Like I was some kind of drug addict!) , Its hard to find a good doctor here. I do take CBD oil, vitamin D, omega3, vitamins, Chinese herbs, along with my blood pressure meds. If I don't take adderall I can hardly function. I'm so sick of constantly taking pills and supplements, i feel like that's all I do and for all I'm doing and taking I'm so pissed off not to be feeling better. I realize I'm in a huge wave but God, how long can this last?? Its just not a good day.
@farmboy, do what you need to do to take care of yourself. The trouble is most places I can think of to check into, I don't trust them to do what's best for me.

@farmboy virtual hugs to you. We will all be ok, better than ok, better than we've ever been. I have to believe that.