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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
@texasduchess I stopped taking ambien May 1 after asking for something different, since ambien is a hypnotic and I was doing crazy things like shopping online of I couldn't fall asleep after taking it. She prescribed belsombra but after reading about it, I decided to not fill the rx. Started taking melatonin, and was also taking benadryl to hold any effexor wd symptoms. After just a few nights without ambien i was doing fine without it for over a month, when the insomnia started again only this time with worse racing thoughts etc that wouldn't allow me to sleep, and almost a fear of going to sleep, and some physical symptoms like I've described, horrible stomach pain like emptiness or a gripping sensation, and couldn't stand up straight, struggling to take a shower etc, that must have been due to effexor withdrawal. But the good news is that a few doses of vistaril seem to have solved that. I think you're right about the fat stores. I read somewhere online that this surge of withdrawal symptoms happens to people who have a higher BMI. Which I do. My question is, after your experience at around 2 months out, did your symptoms then dissipate or did they continue to go away and come back in waves, if so, for how long?
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@sandij
Yes, I have a higher BMI ... sigh.
My withdrawal symptoms started with insomnia ... with racing, circling thoughts about stupid stuff that I generally wouldn't spend a lot of time on and YES, the fear--of going to sleep, of taking a shower, of nothing and everything. I realized pretty quickly that these were Effexor withdrawal symptoms and through trial-and-error came up with a regimen of supplements that helped me tremendously. I also saw my doctor and got a limited prescription for 10mg Valium to use as needed.
Getting over something as powerful as Effexor takes time; I was on it for 18 years. It's been a year since the WD symptoms began; I see improvement--they are less intense, but I still experience them ... especially, if I am under stress. I am still taking supplements (down to three times a day) and only feel the need (rising anxiety) for half of a Valium once, or twice about every 5–6 weeks.