Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@secretwhitepop it's the strangest thing. My husband looks at me with such worry and it's hard to explain that they arent "upset" tears. My guess is that it's our bodies way of discharging energy that's been spent up. The same way with the "angry" outbursts. I had the tears happen in the middle of teaching class..I'm online. The kid has nothing else to look at except me, and suddenly I'm bawling?? Try explaining that to a 9 year old Chinese boy who is wondering what he said wrong!

I’m on a crying jag today too, had a fantastic productive day yesterday and I felt very content and then this! So up and down and very difficult to control. My counsellor has been showing me ways to ground myself but man, it’s freakn hard to do during an episode like this. I haven’t even started my wean yet! How am I going to make it thru this when I start? Feel like my brain is broken. Tomorrow it will get better right?

@searchgirl it's not possible to control it. You can, however, set yourself up for success by being prepared for the bad times when they come. I had to make myself a list to remind me of the things to always do to help myself through, because in the moment even the easiest things are hard to remember.( Drink water. Have you eaten? CBD. Did you take your vitamins today? Watch Happy by pharrell on youtube. The witches dance on youtube. Write in journal. Drink more water. Are you tired? Rest. Epsom salts. ) it's like I'm a child who needs led around by the nose!
Many people will say that if you're having these symptoms now, it's best to stabilize at that dosage until the withdrawal symptoms stop, take 3 weeks there before attempting a reduction in dosage. That's most people. Some of us (well, just me that
I know of) went rogue and ripped the bandaid off. I wouldn't want to lead you astray. For my SELF only, I knew I was going to experience protracted withdrawal..waves and windows ..I'm familiar with it, so instead of prolonging my agony I just jumped off.
You're having ups and downs. You're not having downs and downs. Do what you can handle. It's an experiment. You'll make it work for you.

@secretwhitepop
Susan, you were on Effexor for 20 years. That stuff gets stored in our tissues. I was on 25mg Effexor for 18 years and was fine for 6.5 weeks after my taper. I think that's because the Effexor stored in body fat carried me that long after quitting Effexor. I wasn't ever on Effexor for mental issues, but developed anxiety, agitation, insomnia, sudden rage, irritability and akathesia once I came off it. Perhaps your depression is coming back, or maybe, it's withdrawal. You can click on my name to see my previous posts to read about the supplements I've found extremely helpful in lessening my withdrawal symptoms--especially L-tryptophan, GABA and L-methylfolate (a prescription B vitamin that spurs the production of more neurotransmitters--serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). My doctor also gave me a limited prescription of 5mg Valium to use when WD was overwhelming.

Thank you. It’s so helpful to know I’m not on my own and help is there. I just journaled my day and realized I really need to practice more of my self soothing and grounding especially when a strong episodes comes on. Was also thinking the Valium thing and I already have cbds. If it wasn’t for my partner today, I might have done my run away stint lol! He wants to come with me to my next counselling session to find out what he can do for me during my wean. He unfortunately becomes my target yet somehow he still loves me when I make it through....bless him.

I feel the same way about my husband. Most of the time he is super supportive no matter what kind of mood I'm in. I'm really glad you have your guy. It will be a positive thing throughout your process. Keep up the good work.

There’s a lot in my life that is huge right now. It seems everything happens at once and they are all those “major” stressors everyone talks about. Today is another day and it doesn’t feel as dark. I know what you mean about confusing a depressing or down day with Depression. It sort of snowballs and takes on a life of its own based on past experiences. Thank you for your helpful words!

That is too funny! Well, he’s got to learn at some point that women are nuts! Better to learn young. Ha ha! Thanks for the laugh.

@searchgirl- Hello. What a great question he's asking you. He's showing his love and wants to help. I know what you mean by having a target for your anger. That's not right, but very natural. You are right, bless his heart. Are you going to let him go with you to counseling?

@sandij- I agree with @sandij @secretwhitepop - After my first lung cancer operation I had to go home with craving nicotine as I only quit smoking a week before my surgery. My husband gave me a mantra because I was struggling with it so much. "if I smoke I'll die"
I must have said this thousands of times but it worked. What might be a goof mantra for you?
"If i go back on these pills I'll be addicted for life?"