Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@sandij
Now if I say, "Straighten up and fly right right", does that ring a bell? Folks, this is a private joke, she is doing great.
Honey you have been part of the bestie club since May 16th...you just never took advantage of it...BW

@secretwhitepop
Hey, this blog isn't about not taking medication you need--it's just about minimizing withdrawal symptoms when quitting Effexor. Stress while reducing Effexor, or withdrawn from Effexor can definitely worsen your withdrawal symptoms (and these can last a looonnng time--I'm a year+ off Effexor and when my supplements aren't enough, I take my prescribed Valium). Only you know how you feel. There's no point in being miserable.

Just my opinion, but I suggest you try Lexapro. I take generic Celexa, which is very similar -- my doc explained the difference between them -- and it has definitely helped a lot.

I am doing pretty good. I've been off effexor since may 16 and ues It was horrible but I'm doing fine now. I weened down to 37.5mg and I took that for a month then just stopped!!! I'm not at all saying it was easy it was like I said horrible but I got threw it. Why would you recommend lexapro or paxil or whatever antidepressant when your trying to come off them. It's just a vicious cycle.
All I take now is a klonopin for my anxiety and that helped me with my complications from comming off of effexor as well and like on day 4 and 5 when I thought I couldn't come off it cause I felt so bad I went and got an IV and they gave me a steroid and benadryl and something else for my headache. After the ER getting me straightened out I felt better. I mean i still take motrin for this headache that won't go away but I feel that if you wanna get off You can do it!!! Just get it over with and do it. Its gonna be uncomfortable for awhile but I def wouldn't be trying to take more depression meds to just have to end up having to come off those eventually.. I dont know this is just how I feel. IT is possible to come off effexor I did it and I feel alot better. I still take my klonopin and motrin but I've been on anxiety meds for over 10years and will probably never come off those. I dont want too either because I do need them. I have bad panic attacks and anxiety. Effexor should be banned it should be a scheduled drug like pain pills and heroin. I can't believe we all had to go threw this to come off. Its crazy but it can be done and if you are ready just Do it!!!! If I can do it anyone can.

I am doing pretty good. I've been off effexor since may 16 and ues It was horrible but I'm doing fine now. I weened down to 37.5mg and I took that for a month then just stopped!!! I'm not at all saying it was easy it was like I said horrible but I got threw it. Why would you recommend lexapro or paxil or whatever antidepressant when your trying to come off them. It's just a vicious cycle.
All I take now is a klonopin for my anxiety and that helped me with my complications from comming off of effexor as well and like on day 4 and 5 when I thought I couldn't come off it cause I felt so bad I went and got an IV and they gave me a steroid and benadryl and something else for my headache. After the ER getting me straightened out I felt better. I mean i still take motrin for this headache that won't go away but I feel that if you wanna get off You can do it!!! Just get it over with and do it. Its gonna be uncomfortable for awhile but I def wouldn't be trying to take more depression meds to just have to end up having to come off those eventually.. I dont know this is just how I feel. IT is possible to come off effexor I did it and I feel alot better. I still take my klonopin and motrin but I've been on anxiety meds for over 10years and will probably never come off those. I dont want too either because I do need them. I have bad panic attacks and anxiety. Effexor should be banned it should be a scheduled drug like pain pills and heroin. I can't believe we all had to go threw this to come off. Its crazy but it can be done and if you are ready just Do it!!!! If I can do it anyone can.

As long as it’s not Effexor, I’ll give it a shot. Still mourning my dad, still moving, still trying to secure employment, and mom still has dementia. Right now I’m deciding to go easy on myself and family and try Lexipro. A pediatric dose has had a wonderful effect on me in the past. So at least that is comforting. But so does acupuncture. Which I will go back to. I just need to find one in my new area.

All of the changes I’ve made in my life are from the weening and I’m terrified to realize that I’m a bit bipolar. And the mania leads me to buy things and move and switch jobs and do all sorts of things that later stress me out. The Zoloft then Effexor helped me to plant roots, for which I am grateful. For my sake and for the sake of my family, I think roots should be planted again. If I was young and single, eh, I’d keep on keeping on.

I’ve had a couple suicides in my family (folks I never met) and anxiety and depression on both sides. So I come by this honestly.

I am so grateful for this site!

@bubbles,
Awe, I totally understand. My mom and daughter share being bipolar.
My mom demonstrated this by not being able to control herself when angry. Which was often.
My daughter does best when she lives her life with my only grandson without any family being involved in her life.
This is something I cannot control, not being in contact with them. It hurts too. I know things are best for her when she keeps her world small. Very small. Its her choice.
The thing I do best is to share love and healing with the people I meet. It is their choice to take advantage of it or not.
My daughter doesn't want it.
.
I am interested to read your list of hyper symptoms you posted. And glad you made the connection between your actions and bipolar. Just in acknowledging this you take control of your life....there are other things to follow up with but first recognizing the most important thing...recognizing AND admitting!!!!
.
Suicide is in my family too. My brother...and friends. I myself have felt suicidal 1000's of times...no lie...And I never followed thru cuz it almost destroyed the family. I couldn't do that to them again.
Bright Wings, I am going to go be sad for a while.
.

I am doing pretty good. I've been off effexor since may 16 and ues It was horrible but I'm doing fine now. I weened down to 37.5mg and I took that for a month then just stopped!!! I'm not at all saying it was easy it was like I said horrible but I got threw it. Why would you recommend lexapro or paxil or whatever antidepressant when your trying to come off them. It's just a vicious cycle.
All I take now is a klonopin for my anxiety and that helped me with my complications from comming off of effexor as well and like on day 4 and 5 when I thought I couldn't come off it cause I felt so bad I went and got an IV and they gave me a steroid and benadryl and something else for my headache. After the ER getting me straightened out I felt better. I mean i still take motrin for this headache that won't go away but I feel that if you wanna get off You can do it!!! Just get it over with and do it. Its gonna be uncomfortable for awhile but I def wouldn't be trying to take more depression meds to just have to end up having to come off those eventually.. I dont know this is just how I feel. IT is possible to come off effexor I did it and I feel alot better. I still take my klonopin and motrin but I've been on anxiety meds for over 10years and will probably never come off those. I dont want too either because I do need them. I have bad panic attacks and anxiety. Effexor should be banned it should be a scheduled drug like pain pills and heroin. I can't believe we all had to go threw this to come off. Its crazy but it can be done and if you are ready just Do it!!!! If I can do it anyone can.

Lost another long post...darn it...BW