Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

The weird gut feeling which is kind of like anxiety but I'm thinking more its withdrawal side effects (the serotonin affects the gut too), comes and goes. At two months off effexor now, it seems to hit in mid day, probably when I'm tired. The vistaril prescribed helps somewhat. I'm thinking maybe a probiotic? Anyone have suggestions for that?

@sandij
To minimize the anxiety I've developed as a withdrawal symptom, I supplement with L*dtke l-tryptophan, l-methylfolate (a prescription B vitamin), ashwaganda, Solg*r GABA and l-arginine (helps the L-tryptophan and GABA). Sometimes, I get a definite shaky, "squiggly" feeling in my chest that I think is a rush of adrenaline and a 25mg Ben*dryl often eases that bothersome, inexplicable fight/flight reaction. Even so, every 4.5 to 6 weeks, when my supplements aren't enough, I take one to two halves of my prescribed 10mg Valium.

We adapt as humans. So thankful for Neuroplasticity!!!
#ThinkTherapy

Has anyone used either Benadryl or Prozac to minimize withdrawal symptoms? My 17-year old has gone from 150mg to 40-ish mg of Venlafaxine but has hit a wall and we're having trouble going any lower without causing significant issues like headaches, extreme fatigue and insomnia. She feels well emotionally but the physical symptoms are taking a toll. I've heard that Prozac can help, but when I looked it up in the PDR it does not recommend that the two be taken together because of serotonin syndrome. Does anyone have advice about how to help us?

@mommapsych , I took Prozac after 1 week after stopping Effexor for the withdrawal symptoms I was having. I didn’t take it with Effexor. It helped me for a while, but then quit taking it, as it exasperated the anxiety I was feeling. I took Abilify, May have spelled that wrong, with the Effexor and it did help as well. Praying for you and your daughter. It is a rough road, but there is a pot of gold at the end of the journey.

I'm using vistaril instead of benadryl, its lessening the symptoms but to be honest, the last week has been rough. I really dont want to resort to another antidepressant while I'm in withdrawal though. It seems like ibuprofen helps too. Good luck, this is a tough road and it can be done!

Keep holding at the 40mg level for a while. Let her body get used to it and take your time. Maybe two or three months. Then try again. Don’t torture yourself during the ween. And if 40 mgs works, that’s great!

After a long conversation with my daughter and husband, this is EXACTLY the conclusion we came to. Thank you so much for your support❤️

How is everyone doing? Withdrawals are kicking my butt. I'm finding that CBD oil is now causing me loads of anxiety so I'm going to stop taking it. It's so hard to tell what's working and what's not at this point, I'm just beyond frustrated. Thinking about the prozac bridge but I'm so scared to go back on something. I really wanted to be drug free.

Not sure if this got posted or not... but I never had good luck with CBD either. And I also just went successfully back on Zoloft. And seroquel. But everyone is different. Don’t torture yourself. Life is short.