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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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 4, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex..." + (show)
@merpreb

@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex it is very tough to figure things out. I call this the "What works for some people doesn't work for others" syndrome. It's so complex that it doesn't make it easy to figure things out, eve for doctors sometimes. It sounds as if you are having a mixture of reactions to your withdrawal. And I do think that you withdrew way too quickly. Remember that as you withdraw the feelings that you had before will return and are in a combined with withdrawal symptoms.
@jakedduck1 - Can you help @canadaanj come up with a better schedule for her? Thank you.
Feeling of Depersonalization are very very common for anxiety and depression. I sometimes get it even without withdrawing from any medication. I have a much longer history of anxiety and depression than 10 years. I think that you mean unreality and this fits in with the Depersonalization.
May I ask why you have been on an anti-depressant 10 years ago? Was there a major event that happened? I feel these feeling because I have PTSD. Might you have it too?

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I too have PTSD. That's something that needs more care but when you get the cause figured out, its gets much better and easier to avoid triggers. BW

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secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | May 4, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex..." + (show)
@merpreb

@canadaanj- Welcome to Connect. I understand your fear and frustration. The mind/body connection is so complex it is very tough to figure things out. I call this the "What works for some people doesn't work for others" syndrome. It's so complex that it doesn't make it easy to figure things out, eve for doctors sometimes. It sounds as if you are having a mixture of reactions to your withdrawal. And I do think that you withdrew way too quickly. Remember that as you withdraw the feelings that you had before will return and are in a combined with withdrawal symptoms.
@jakedduck1 - Can you help @canadaanj come up with a better schedule for her? Thank you.
Feeling of Depersonalization are very very common for anxiety and depression. I sometimes get it even without withdrawing from any medication. I have a much longer history of anxiety and depression than 10 years. I think that you mean unreality and this fits in with the Depersonalization.
May I ask why you have been on an anti-depressant 10 years ago? Was there a major event that happened? I feel these feeling because I have PTSD. Might you have it too?

Jump to this post

What does depersonalization mean?

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2 replies
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 4, 2019
In reply to @secretwhitepop "What does depersonalization mean?" + (show)
@secretwhitepop

What does depersonalization mean?

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@BUBS
Go to your search engine and Google that exact sentence. You will learn what you are looking for.
You can find any answer that way.
Enjoy the world wide web, but don't get lost there, we like you...BW

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1 reply
sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 4, 2019

I was on prozac from age 26, I was depressed but looking back now, the psychiatrist put me on it way too fast. I had already been through some therapy with my husband at the time, he'd had an affair, and the therapist was very focused on how severe my reaction to the situation was. Not focused at all on him. (Religious counselor.... dont get me started on that patriarchal system). I switched to effexor when I was premenopausal and the anxiety was increasing. Here's the thing, nothing ever served to stabilize my moods. I'm 56 now and learning that I have ADHD, PTSD, and that my human design type completely explains the entire course of my life. (I realize HDS is not mainstream and I'm definitely not here on a promotional basis).
I firmly believe that my mind can and will heal. Yes, I may have a damaged central nervous system from the medications that I was prescribed. But there is no reason to believe that complete and total healing cannot occur. Remember, there is such a thing as neuroplasticity, my friends! We can and will heal from this. Guaranteed. Hope everyone is having a great day!

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 4, 2019
In reply to @sandij "I was on prozac from age 26, I was depressed but looking back now, the psychiatrist..." + (show)
@sandij

I was on prozac from age 26, I was depressed but looking back now, the psychiatrist put me on it way too fast. I had already been through some therapy with my husband at the time, he'd had an affair, and the therapist was very focused on how severe my reaction to the situation was. Not focused at all on him. (Religious counselor.... dont get me started on that patriarchal system). I switched to effexor when I was premenopausal and the anxiety was increasing. Here's the thing, nothing ever served to stabilize my moods. I'm 56 now and learning that I have ADHD, PTSD, and that my human design type completely explains the entire course of my life. (I realize HDS is not mainstream and I'm definitely not here on a promotional basis).
I firmly believe that my mind can and will heal. Yes, I may have a damaged central nervous system from the medications that I was prescribed. But there is no reason to believe that complete and total healing cannot occur. Remember, there is such a thing as neuroplasticity, my friends! We can and will heal from this. Guaranteed. Hope everyone is having a great day!

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@sandij and everyone else reading this
I second that remark. We can do almost anything and if we can't, adjust your attitude and try something different! BW

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sandij (Sandi James) | @sandij | May 4, 2019

Some days are better than others. I allow myself to grieve "what could have been" and to always remind myself that everything is temporary. I may not be able to face or to conquer something on a bad day or in a bad moment, but there will be a time when I will be able to! I try to allow myself grace. And time. And compassion.

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | May 4, 2019

@sandij
Wise attitude. BW

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grandmaR | @grandmar | May 4, 2019

@farmboy
I haven't seen a post from you in a long time (unless I missed it).
Are you OK?
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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