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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 22 hours ago | Replies (6415)Comment receiving replies
Since I tried going off the 75mg of effexor a few weeks ago and ended up going back on the effexor I have some of craziest thoughts. Things don't seem real, confused I know what I'm doing but ask myself why, seems like I'm lost in time, brain fog, derealization, depersonlization and I get a thought in my mind that bugs me and it goes around and around like a broken record. Feel like I'm forgetting who I am. I feel disconnected from things. Has anyone else felt,feel or had this happen to them? It's scary as hell and I'm getting tired of fighting this fight. It's like this everyday from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. Any help, suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thankyou, Farmboy.
Replies to "Since I tried going off the 75mg of effexor a few weeks ago and ended up..."
@farmboy
Please keep communicating with and letting your doctor know you are having issues.
My withdrawal symptoms 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. When I had a particularly distressing day of ever-increasing anxiety and akathisia, my doctor had me take three days off work and take a whole 5mg Valium twice each day to "get ahead" of the anxiety and akathisia and she prescribed 15 more tablets to use as needed although her "get ahead of it" strategy was pretty effective.
I did not want to rely on Valium and through trial-and-error came up with a number of supplements that help me and have listed the supplements I take in previous posts (click on my name to go back through and read). Ben*dryl helped me sleep and kava kava and GABA during the day helped with anxiety.
Weekends are still hard for me; I am not retired and find working keeps my mind off my physical symptoms. I believe you are not working right now, so find distraction in reading, hobbies, exercise, etc.; avoid frenetic, or over-stimulating tv shows/movies/books; and don't listen to atonal, off-key, or minor key music (these set me off). It also helps to be with other people–go out to dinner, play cards/board games, find a walking buddy to go around the block, etc. Also, very important–get exposure to natural light; light reaching your eyes will lift your mood.
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@farmboy
Yes, I totally get what you are saying...been there, done that, don't want to do that again.
Now hang on....it will get better.
Since I just got back here, please allow me to go read you whole story before I suggest anything. I would be irresponsible to just blurt out anything. So, let me go read and I will be back. I am aware you have been posting much, which is great. So off I go. I will return, smiling at you, Bright Wings