Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@farmboy I think it is possible to feel worse before you feel better. It will take a while for your body to realize the effects of returning to the effexor. Try to think of it as the highs and lows of a roller coaster. You will have the exciting high times, I promise! It's a trip, and all trips end, it's not eternity even though it may feel like it. None of us would be here with you if this was impossible. Hang in there!

@sandij I know I'm not the only one fighting this awful medicine. I just feel like I've been robbed of my life. Haven't been able to work because of the anxiety and panic attacks. I don't feel like being around anyone including my lovely girlfriend. That part really bothers me because she has been really helpful and understanding. I feel like I'm failing everyone right now because of how I'm feeling.

@farmboy
Good Morning!
I am so sad to read about how you are feeling.
I know you have had a rough time with the Effexor and getting your meds right and the toll it is taking.
Please know that you are NOT LETTING ANYONE DOWN!
Anxiety and depression are diseases, just like diabetes, heart disease and the thousands of others.
It often takes time to find the right combination of treatments to get the other illnesses under control, and then the life changes needed, too.
Don't think that emotional illnesses are any different, because they are not.
Would you be upset if someone you know or care about has hospital visits, doctor visits, tries lots of different meds and has to change his/her lifestyle in order to get an illness under control?
I am sure you wouldn't.
Then why should you be upset with yourself??
Don't lock out people who care about you, let them in!
If you are feeling so down, maybe a therapist can help.
A therapist can help you not only to manage your illness with different techniques, but also how to live with anxiety and how to accept it.
I hope you find the peace you so well deserve.
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

You’re not doing any of this on purpose and, when I was at my lowest and couldn’t even force a smile, I always thought “this, too, shall pass.” It will. It will. It will. Meditate. Look into cognitive therapy. I know it’s not that simple, but set yourself up for success. Refuse to give in. Go outside and put your hands in the soil and breathe it in. Turn off the news and listen to 80’s music and stand up straight and breathe. You are not alone. No sugar no alcohol. Breathe deeply.

@farmboy
Please hang in there. We're all rooting for you and each other. Remember--it's all up from rock bottom.

@farmboy
FarmMan, I can feel you pain heavy tonight. I have been where you are many times.
I want you to hang on right now. I feel waves of pain...you are not alone even if it feels like it right now.
I am with you in the midst of your pain. Together we can do anything, one tiny baby step at a time.
I hold out my hand to you. We can do this together.
I stand with you in this battle!
Bright Wings, Warrior

@farmboy remember how much your dog cares about you and try to see it from their point of view. You're still the human they love. You're sick right now but you're worthy of being loved. Some days all we can do is wait until tomorrow.

And let your girlfriend help. I know you are struggling and no one likes being seen when they're a complete mess. I had to make the difficult call a few times to have someone talk me through a crisis. All I wanted to do was hide and just crawl in a hole forever. But I reached out. I know you can too - you've made it this far.

Also definitely try to schedule an appointment with a talk therapist who can help with panic attacks. You can learn how to manage them better so it's less horrible.

@farmboy
What is it you want?....What is that big dream you have?
It sucks where you are right now, but unless you can "see where you want to be", its hard to move.
Describe that different, happier place here. Where you have accomplished every thing you want or need to really LIVE.
Smiling, cuz this will give you your power back, Bright Wings

I am 4 weeks out Effexor free and my anxiety is crazy bad! I can’t relax, or function! I tried 5htp and it made me sick. I want my life back. My husband doesn’t understand and doesn’t want to understand. I’m expected to just “snap” out of it. So I keep all my feelings inside and know that isn’t good for me. I went to my Dr and was asked what I wanted to do about it. I want to be back to normal and enjoy life.

It took more than 4 weeks for my anxiety to return, but I also know it can take longer than a month to return to any kind of normalcy and I also know that anxiety doesn't return for everyone. When my anxiety first returned, I got relief by using CBD oil; a friend who'd gone off Prozac found it really helpful for her anxiety and depression. And if ``snapping out of it worked,'' none of us would be on this forum in the first place!!! My doctor now has me on 150mg of Wellbutrin -- which doesn't work for everyone because a possible side effect is increased anxiety; however, that only happened for me when I went up to 300mg and I quickly came back down to 150 -- and a small dose of a beta blocker to keep the adrenaline from kicking in so quickly and strongly. Since I went on Wellbutrin, I've stopped the CBD oil because I've read that it can mess with the effectiveness of many medications. I can also recommend exercise, taking your mind off it by focusing on other things -- light TV shows, reading, fun movies, etc., researching vitamins and minerals that can help, brief periods -- around 10 minutes at a time -- of mindfulness meditation and -- hugely -- making sure your blood sugar doesn't get low (that by itself can bring on anxiety). Don't give up!!!