Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Like most of you know I restarted on 75 mg of effexor. I'm wondering if I should go to a higher dose for awhile. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I think I'm psyching myself out alot. My anxiety is getting worse again, I constantly feel like I'm in fog, little things alarm me, headaches,confusion and it's like I'm in a constant anxiety/panic attack.

Hi @farmboy - I'd just encourage you to keep in touch with your doctor, daily if needed, for support through this and to see if they can explain your situation and recommend any changes to your venlafaxine (Effexor) dosing, prescribe another medication to accompany it, or suggest another therapy that might help you through this trying time.

Have you had the chance to connect with your doctor lately? Has anything else as far as self-care helped you through this time thus far?

@farmboy I agree that you should try to at least call if not ask if you can be seen soon. Also ask if you should get checked for low sodium. Sometimes antidepressants can cause it (it's one of the warning things on the med sheet that comes with the Rx), and while most people get too much rather than not enough salt, it can result in confusion and CRS (can't remember sh*t).

Honestly sounds like how I feel with low blood sugar more than a panic attack but everyone experiences them differently. Only constant is that it is awful.

Hi @farmboy - I'd just encourage you to keep in touch with your doctor, daily if needed, for support through this and to see if they can explain your situation and recommend any changes to your venlafaxine (Effexor) dosing, prescribe another medication to accompany it, or suggest another therapy that might help you through this trying time.

Have you had the chance to connect with your doctor lately? Has anything else as far as self-care helped you through this time thus far?

@farmboy I agree that you should try to at least call if not ask if you can be seen soon. Also ask if you should get checked for low sodium. Sometimes antidepressants can cause it (it's one of the warning things on the med sheet that comes with the Rx), and while most people get too much rather than not enough salt, it can result in confusion and CRS (can't remember sh*t).

Honestly sounds like how I feel with low blood sugar more than a panic attack but everyone experiences them differently. Only constant is that it is awful.

Relapse is hitting me hard. Right now I'm in limbo trying to determine what is depression, what is withdrawal, or if I'm otherwise sick.

(I'm 3 weeks out after my last dose of venlafaxine and since Prozac had bad stomach problems - enough to have to call a friend and see if they had food poisoning so I could figure out if I did, I'm switching again. In the meantime I am definitely not adequately medicated.)

The up and down of having a little energy for an hour or a few and then down for the rest of the day is frustrating. Just enough to decide I want to do something but without being able to. I sit on my bed sometimes mentally yelling at myself to get up and at least do dishes. Doesn't work. I know it's called executive dysfunction. Not that knowing that helps.

One long day at a time.

@notaround I've woken up in a panic the last two days feeling so bad that I've cancelled my classes, putting myself in a worse financial situation and a precarious position with my company. I also cant determine if its withdrawal, depression, or just stressed out. I do the same as you, just yelling at myself to just do something, but I just can't. It's scary. I wish I had the answers for all of us. @farmboyfarmboy I hope you feel better soon too.

Relapse is hitting me hard. Right now I'm in limbo trying to determine what is depression, what is withdrawal, or if I'm otherwise sick.

(I'm 3 weeks out after my last dose of venlafaxine and since Prozac had bad stomach problems - enough to have to call a friend and see if they had food poisoning so I could figure out if I did, I'm switching again. In the meantime I am definitely not adequately medicated.)

The up and down of having a little energy for an hour or a few and then down for the rest of the day is frustrating. Just enough to decide I want to do something but without being able to. I sit on my bed sometimes mentally yelling at myself to get up and at least do dishes. Doesn't work. I know it's called executive dysfunction. Not that knowing that helps.

One long day at a time.