Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@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.

One day at a time is sometimes one minute at a time. The minutes do string themselves into days and days into months. But the patience it takes feels beyond human capability most of the time. This is NOT easy. That's why we are all here to help.

@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).

Good Morning!

New issue, now.
As some of you might recall, my psychiatrist left her practice. It didn't worry me very much because she gave me enough meds for 3 months. With me weaning down, I've stretched the 3 months. Now, I am close to need more. Either the docs won't accept insurance, cash only OR I have to wait 5 months to see the doctor. I told the person who returned my call that I am in need of meds. She told me to go to my PCP. Really???? Asked my PCP and he won't prescribe with seeing me. Luckily, I have an appointment in a couple of weeks. This means, I'll get my meds, but if I run into any issues, I'm out of luck! Guess I'll keep having to search for a doc who will see me sooner.

This is new, I never had an issue before, to get into see a psychiatrist.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Good Morning!
I really believe, that in spite of what people say, when it comes to these sorts of illnesses, they really DON'T understand. When a disease is not able to been seen, people just don't get it. And, when it comes to mental illnesses, it is even worse!
Days gone by, people thought if they didn't speak about the "C" word, they wouldn't get it. Now, if they don't speak about "MI", it isn't real. I have the most supportive hubby and he deals with a lot with me (both physical and mental). I told him about me weaning down on my Effexor to what I consider to be a 'normal' dosage. He was fine, but I really don't think he gets it or when I got SEVERE anxiety (even when I couldn't work for a couple of weeks because I couldn't get myself out of the house). My daughter, son-in-law and son all suffer from anxiety and my dad suffered from depression. He saw our son-in-law pass out, while driving, because of an severe anxiety attack and smashed his car. Thankfully, he didn't kill himself. He watching my son who tried to find a med that worked for him, him trying to coming off and going through withdrawal, trying 'more natural' methods, and now trying to get back on meds that work for him.
It blast in his face, but I really don't believe, deep in my heart that he understands. It's not that he doesn't want to, he just doesn't.

So, give your loved ones a break. This is a hard illness for them to understand.
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I swear, sometimes when you really need to see someone for counseling, THATS when the system pulls al that crap on you! Maybe they do it on purpose to put you right over the edge! It makes no sense at all!

@babydoll Effexor which I was on for 7 years took approximately 9 months to clear my system. It is wise to work with a physician during this time to minimize the withdrawal and to also discuss any supplements before using them.

@secretwhitepop Yes, there are times it may seem this way. Think we have all been in this place.

Weird tip. Ear plugs. Sometimes I used to feel like all of the stimulation in the world was coming at me all at once. I was not diagnosed with schizophrenia, for which I am grateful, but that’s when I was prescribed Effexor. As we all know, Effexor isn’t a cure all, but, my husband works in a field where earplugs were required and always had a ton on hand. I tried some once while in a walk. It was great and extremely helpful! For me, the worst part was my anxiety when I was trying to relax and breathe and chill. We lived in a city where there were always sirens and loud cars and yelling. With the earplugs, I could still see and focus on beauty and filter out the garbage! It’s worth a shot. I keep some in the car when there are a lot of people in there. You can still hear, it’s just peaceful!

Unfortunately, I think you have to have been there, to have experienced it, before you can understand. If you're on the outside looking in, you can't really know what it's like. (I know this is true with other illnesses.) And some people are more empathetic by temperament than others. Just don't give up, no matter how intense it may get, because things really will get better.