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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6363)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I am 4 weeks out Effexor free and my anxiety is crazy bad! I can’t relax,..."
@babydoll
5HTP, L-tryptophan, or St. John's wort should not be taken while still on Effexor, I believe you were on 225mg Effexor for 10 years; when you are on Effexor for a long time, it is also stored in body fat--those stores may be why the 5HTP made you ill.
I am sorry that your husband is not supportive. I was only ever on 25mg of Effexor and I experienced (and occasionally still do) extreme anxiety and agitation after weaning off. Effexor is a powerful drug that really messes with brain chemistry; if you're one of the ones to experience withdrawal symptoms, it can take some time to get over--months, not weeks.
Please keep working with your doctor. I don't recall that you said how much Prozac you're on, but perhaps, it needs to be increased, or a different medication (Valium?) used.
I did a lot of walking around our block for a while. I'm going to echo @kbmayo here--watching gentle TV/movie comedies (nothing frenetic), reading cozy mysteries (nothing too graphic), light gardening and dining and playing board games with friends as well as working provided distraction to keep me from noticing my symptoms. Hobbies, Sudoku, or crosswords could work, too. Getting natural light to your eyes is beneficial. I had to be careful about minor key and atonal music (really set me off). You can click on my name and see what supplements also helped (but you probably want to stay away from L-tryptophan for now).
@babydoll I had the same thing happen to me. Unfortunately I had to go back on effexor and start over some other time. But when going back to effexor my anxiety and panic attacks didn't get any better. So my Dr put me on serquel and up my clozepam to 1mg 3 x a day. You might ask your Doc about the serquel and clozepam. The serquel helps me alot (50mgs) is what I take and it really helps me sleep and relax at night. The clozepam during the day helps to. Best of wishes to you.
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@babydoll I hear you. I mean, I really hear you. My husband doesn't understand either and he doesn't want to. I am also expected to just "snap out of it". It's a little hard to accept this treatment from someone who is supposed to love and support you. Like you, I just want my normal life back. I think it will come for us in time. We have to be patient with ourselves especially if others around us are not. Good luck on your journey. Blessings.