1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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rascal1 | @rascal1 | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Thank you, that helps. One of the places we visited yesterday had a staff with very..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Thank you, that helps. One of the places we visited yesterday had a staff with very very little turn over. And the lady who was basically “everything” there but her official title was head of housekeeping, she gave me and my brother the greatest hug! She says she hugs everyone every morning. The place was not the prettiest, but the staff was amazing. Really cares about the folks and my brother and I. Knowing my mom is ever suffering for one minute is awful! And yes, before my daughter was baptized in 2012, mom “forgot” she was going to babysit while my husband and I went to a class. Didn’t even think it could be the “beginning” but mom never “blitzed” like that. And there are many more examples.

Thank you for your post!

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Hugs from those who care mean so very much! I miss them and relish them from my teenage grandchildren !

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @parus "@brightwings Interesting how I have experienced the opposite. I have lost friends (relationships) because of NOT..." + (show)
@parus

@brightwings Interesting how I have experienced the opposite. I have lost friends (relationships) because of NOT being a whiner and endeavoring to find something positive to bring into a conversation. I have also learned and we are still learning.
Being happy and content takes hard work as we are trying to rewire our minds. Nice to know there are others learning and trying. Thank you.

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@Parus
Remember, I used to have some where between 150 and 250 personalities from all the abuse. How can I KNOW this? Cuz I had 150 names written in my 32 journals and many of them were groups....
There is a reason I took 33 years to finish my healing. Cuz I had to put myself back together.....
I experienced lots of torture to create that many personalities.
AND I was worth what ever it takes to find myself...
I am now living the life I SHOULD have lived had I not been abused...
AND IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE ARRIVED....
Smiling at myself this time cuz we did good!
Bright Wings

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "Thank you, that helps. One of the places we visited yesterday had a staff with very..." + (show)
@secretwhitepop

Thank you, that helps. One of the places we visited yesterday had a staff with very very little turn over. And the lady who was basically “everything” there but her official title was head of housekeeping, she gave me and my brother the greatest hug! She says she hugs everyone every morning. The place was not the prettiest, but the staff was amazing. Really cares about the folks and my brother and I. Knowing my mom is ever suffering for one minute is awful! And yes, before my daughter was baptized in 2012, mom “forgot” she was going to babysit while my husband and I went to a class. Didn’t even think it could be the “beginning” but mom never “blitzed” like that. And there are many more examples.

Thank you for your post!

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@secretwhitepop
Oh my gosh girl, I think you have found the place for your mom. As I was reading this post of yours, my mind picked out so many wonderful clues to being THE place for her. Little staff turn over was the first clue....hugs, oh my....I am thrilled!!!
I feel so happy excited and this is your mom, not mine....
We put my mom in a nice home after she couldn't live with my uncle anymore. It was $5000 a month. She could afford it. She was happy there for 5 years then fell with a stroke...she did not suffer.
She died on Dec 14, 2010.
I finished integrating the last 8 or so personalities on 1/11/11. She had to die before they chose to stop protecting me....
However my life was, it is so different now!!!!
Never give up...never, never, never
Bright Wings

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@brightwings- You must be devastated about your mom's diagnosis. Please don't blame yourself for missing some..." + (show)
@merpreb

@brightwings- You must be devastated about your mom's diagnosis. Please don't blame yourself for missing some early signs. This is very normal because as we get older somethings just slips by us. The loss is definitely more devastating for people who do remember.
This group might be of interest to you about your mom, and what you are going through. My mom had Parkinson Disease and she lost her short term memory and then most of her past.
I think that you might be able to get a lot out of this group : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eoalzheimers/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
How are your withdrawal symptoms now that you are home and dealing with your mom?

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I still experience anxiety of different degrees, pain in body in many different places and occasional sleep challenges.
Otherwise I am good. Bright Wings..
Today the anxiety is big cuz I don't have enough CBD. I am working with Lazarus Naturals to get my regular dose. 2400mg a month keeps me pain free and anxiety free.
Gosh, this OLD body is groaning today with pain and I am smoking more to handle the anxiety...I hate it....

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "@secretwhitepop, My mom developed alzeimers disease not long after we got off the cruise. I admit,..." + (show)
@brightwings

@secretwhitepop,
My mom developed alzeimers disease not long after we got off the cruise. I admit, I missed a few signs while on the ship but I was there as a daughter, not a nurse...I thought it was forgetfulness.
Now what I am going to say is absolute truth for most folks with Alzheimer's. They do not seem to realize what they have lost. I have seen this over and over again.
This disease is harder on family than the person with the disease.
Wishing to share comfort with you, Bright Wings.

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Yes, there are some folks who are aware of what they have lost and those cases are heartbreaking. Also, the folks who experience extreme agitation are heartbreaking.....remember, I have not worked as a nurse since 1992....So my experience working with folks ended there.
I am good with my mom's diagnosis. She passed in 2010. Writing here and on the MS thread is about all I can handle right now and I am wise enough to know this.....Bright Wings

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sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | Apr 18, 2019

@brightwings I just watched a YouTube video of claire weekes and realized I have one of her books! Also I found a guy named wonderbro who has some awesome videos and a livestream about recovering from anxiety. Thanks!

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019

Time for me to get back to MY current life.....I am making 6 batches cinnamon rolls to sell tonight at the music at "the post" I just joined....have a great day, you all, cuz I KNOW I am....Bright Wings

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 18, 2019

@brightwings- I had no idea that you had multiple personalities. Would you be willing to share your story? I think in the depression and anxiety group or start a new conversation on the mental health group. Unless this would be too traumatic for you to go back over it. I recently wrote an article for publication regarding PTSD and regressed a bit into depression. Do you think that it would be a problem for you?

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2 replies
Parus | @parus | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "@Parus Remember, I used to have some where between 150 and 250 personalities from all the..." + (show)
@brightwings

@Parus
Remember, I used to have some where between 150 and 250 personalities from all the abuse. How can I KNOW this? Cuz I had 150 names written in my 32 journals and many of them were groups....
There is a reason I took 33 years to finish my healing. Cuz I had to put myself back together.....
I experienced lots of torture to create that many personalities.
AND I was worth what ever it takes to find myself...
I am now living the life I SHOULD have lived had I not been abused...
AND IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE ARRIVED....
Smiling at myself this time cuz we did good!
Bright Wings

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@brightwings We are still working on it. Takes time to sort things out.

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2019
In reply to @sandij "@brightwings I just watched a YouTube video of claire weekes and realized I have one of..." + (show)
@sandij

@brightwings I just watched a YouTube video of claire weekes and realized I have one of her books! Also I found a guy named wonderbro who has some awesome videos and a livestream about recovering from anxiety. Thanks!

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@sandij, Can you post those links here?
Anxiety is something we will all have to learn how to handle. We all started on Effexor for a reason....getting off it unfortunately leaves us with anxiety....deal with it or not...its still going to be there.
Bright Wings

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