Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi I am new to this forum, I found it trying to investigate what was happening to me as I wean off of Effexor, I was on 225 for only about 6 months and dropped to 150 over 4 weeks on my own and now at 75 per doctors reccomendation for weaning off. The effects are indeed terrible, however one I am experiencing that I haven't read about yet is strong auditory hallucinations (mostly people randomly talking in the distance) - has anyone else experienced this in particular? Good luck to everyone going through the withdrawls from this drug - I wish I had known more about this prior to ever taking it, I can't believe this is prescribed for general anxiety when it seems to me it ends up creating a dependence and higher anxiety levels than ever when you stop - great for the drug manufacturer's but not so much for us patients.

Thank you so much for your advice! I just couldn't understand why I felt nothing for the first 3 or so days after my last dose and then suddenly started having these symptoms on about the 4th day after stopping. Anyway, I went back to taking 37.5 mg and the depersonalization feelings have disappeared so I know they were from the withdrawal. It's a pain in the ass though, to have to divide all the little beads inside the 75 mg pill in half...lol. But I will take 37.5 mg for a month or so I guess, then go down to 85 beads. (Half of a 75 mg pill is about 97 little beads), and see how I feel then I guess.

If you go to youtube and type in Claire Weekes, her books and talks are available through many channels there. She has an excellent program and a soothing voice. Theres also a wonderful guy, aptly named "wonderbro", who draws heavily upon her works. He has livestreams and lots of videos. His emphasis is not on withdrawal but I have found it very valuable.
I also stumbled upon an audio book available for free on youtube called "an untethered soul" by Michael Singer. I've listened to a few chapters and wow, does it resonate with me!
Happy mothers day to all, be grateful for mothers today and everyday, without them we would not exist.

@secretwhitepop @bd1323 while it might be tempting to reinstate or to introduce another medication, give some thought to the fact that it is going to take quite a while to stabilize during and after tapering and then discontinuing all together. I am not saying that sometimes medication is not needed, but after having this experience as well as previous ones with other meds, I personally would be very hesitant about beginning a prescription medicine again. I'm not really certain that antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the answer for uncomfortable feelings. And who is to say what causes those feelings in the first place? I can only speak from my own experience. I was not in a major depressive state when I was originally placed on prozac, my problem was situational, and prozac was just what people did then. I believe that many doctors prescribe for their convenience..and why not? It is their business to prescribe medication. When therapists recommend a patient consider prescriptions, it may also be for their convenience and not necessarily what is best for the patient. The medications are there, if needed, as a last resort. If our goal is to stop feeling anxiety, depression, or any other emotion that we perceive as negative, where do we draw the line? And how do we make that determination between what emotions are acceptable and what aren't?
Case in point, the last time I was at the doctor they have begun doing some kind of "sadness questionnaire" I guess to determine if someone is suicidal or depressed. Well I would have completely failed that dumb thing if I had answered honestly, because of the circumstances in my life right now, but that doesn't mean I am suicidal or ready for the loony bin, it means I am in a bad spot that is temporary. And that I need to find my own coping mechanisms, not be put on a drug.
@bd1323 the general consensus is to taper very very slowly. My experience was that no matter how slow I went, I was still going to experience symptoms. It could also very well be that what I am experiencing are not symptoms caused by the taper but are due to other things going on in my body and in my life. I can only suggest listening closely to your own body and continuing to read about others experiences. As you said, knowing others who are in the same boat helps to verify that you are indeed not going crazy. (Or, "we are all mad here" as the Mad Hatter would say!!) Either way, we are kindred spirits trying to help one another walk home.
Have a great day,everyone!! Thanks for being here.

@secretwhitepop those moments are most important.
I sent you a private message, by the way!

How do I find private messages? Haha!

@secretwhitepop @bd1323 while it might be tempting to reinstate or to introduce another medication, give some thought to the fact that it is going to take quite a while to stabilize during and after tapering and then discontinuing all together. I am not saying that sometimes medication is not needed, but after having this experience as well as previous ones with other meds, I personally would be very hesitant about beginning a prescription medicine again. I'm not really certain that antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the answer for uncomfortable feelings. And who is to say what causes those feelings in the first place? I can only speak from my own experience. I was not in a major depressive state when I was originally placed on prozac, my problem was situational, and prozac was just what people did then. I believe that many doctors prescribe for their convenience..and why not? It is their business to prescribe medication. When therapists recommend a patient consider prescriptions, it may also be for their convenience and not necessarily what is best for the patient. The medications are there, if needed, as a last resort. If our goal is to stop feeling anxiety, depression, or any other emotion that we perceive as negative, where do we draw the line? And how do we make that determination between what emotions are acceptable and what aren't?
Case in point, the last time I was at the doctor they have begun doing some kind of "sadness questionnaire" I guess to determine if someone is suicidal or depressed. Well I would have completely failed that dumb thing if I had answered honestly, because of the circumstances in my life right now, but that doesn't mean I am suicidal or ready for the loony bin, it means I am in a bad spot that is temporary. And that I need to find my own coping mechanisms, not be put on a drug.
@bd1323 the general consensus is to taper very very slowly. My experience was that no matter how slow I went, I was still going to experience symptoms. It could also very well be that what I am experiencing are not symptoms caused by the taper but are due to other things going on in my body and in my life. I can only suggest listening closely to your own body and continuing to read about others experiences. As you said, knowing others who are in the same boat helps to verify that you are indeed not going crazy. (Or, "we are all mad here" as the Mad Hatter would say!!) Either way, we are kindred spirits trying to help one another walk home.
Have a great day,everyone!! Thanks for being here.