Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

What anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds are you taking? I had to go back on, too. It took some experimentation to get to where I currently am and it's better, but not great. I was sorry I had to take anything, but, as you said, c'est la vie!

I am 61.

I'm only on Effexor XR.

I am am Elder in my tribe in Missouri. My name is the Sacred Crystal Grandmother.
I teach healing.
Go to the rock shop or google hematite.
It is a black rock.
Look for a necklace or large piece.
It pulls bad negative energy out of you and removes bad feelings you can’t remove any other way.
When the crystals feel heavy, clear the energy out of them
By smudging or laying on another bigger crystal. Or pile of crystals.
I wore a necklace for 6 days, I HAD to take it off at day 6.
It felt like it weighed 5 pounds.
Now I have many pieces.
Another thing this crystal does is create a zone around you. People entering the zone treat you nicer!!!
How cool is that???
Enjoy, Bright Wings

My blood pressure is elevated and has been since I started taking it. In the past the doctor's didn't believe there was a correlation but there is. My new doctor who does understand the correlation between Effexor and blood pressure truly believes that if I go off this medication I can probably go off my blood pressure medication as well. I was put on antidepressants due to post partum depression almost 24 years ago. In the past these medications were over prescribed. Also I have read a lot of studies that state that these medications work best in the short term while people are getting the other help they need (counseling, exercise, etc). Additionally I work in health care and see so many people who are over medicated. I don't want to be one if I can help it.

Curious as to what anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds you're on. I've had to go back on, too, and while it's ok, it isn't great. However, it took some experimentation to get to this point, so I'm reluctant to ask to try anything else. And c'est la vie?? Indeed -- for me, too!

I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule form and the smallest capsule size is 37.5 mg. The doctors won't order the regular Effexor since I've been on Effexor XR for so long. They said that switching from one to the other can be as difficult as tapering down.

If you can taper successfully down to a daily 37.50mg tab of Effexor (generic form is Venlafaxine) without any noticeable side effects, then you could try cutting the tabs in quarters with an exacto knife blade and take 3/4 tab for two weeks, then taper to 1/2 for two weeks, and continue until you have gotten down to 1/4 tab for a couple of weeks. I followed this plan and I made it successfully without any major side effects in my final tapering off. Good luck in finding the slow taper that works for you!