Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@ksad I don't know if there are people who are ok coming off effexor. Obviously though if they aren't having issues they would have no reason to seek this forum out.
Don't be discouraged if your dr doesn't take your concerns seriously. I've seen several psychiatrists who don't even believe that withdrawal symptoms last longer than several weeks and write off the symptoms as being a recurrence of the diagnosis that caused a person to be on the medication in the first place. Which is ludicrous to me...I certainly wish they could feel what we feel like! Comparing wd to anxiety/depressive symptims is like apples to oranges.
As far as a taper goes, please look at information on websites such as the withdrawal project and mad in America. Also if you google "waves and windows" you should be led to a great explanation of what is happening to your CNS. I've written about it in previous posts but I know there is lots to sort through in this forum. I think you will find that the more you read, the more you will see the recurring themes among so many people who are going through this. If I were you I would hold your dosage or even updose until you feel stable. And you can't really go day by day..reference waves and windows..you will have good days and then suddenly be blindsided by symptoms days, weeks, months later. This to me is what is so frustrating. Plus, people will say "but you were doing so good, i thought your withdrawal was over, are you sure its withdrawal?" , which makes me want to strangle them. I had a nurse practitioner tell me he thought there was "something else going on" since I "shouldnt still be experiencing symptoms" and tried to put me on an antipsychotic! Just be forewarned that the medical community is sorely uneducated and unwilling to recognize the devastating side effects of a medication that they give out without a second thought. So hang in there, we understand. And I completely relate to your loss of your old self, your job, etc. I had to stop working and I miss those kids (I teach ESL online to kids in China) but more upsetting is the loss of the person I used to be. Even with reinstating after 6 months because I could not put myself through any more WD, things have not returned to normal and I don't know if they ever will. It really sucks too, to be unable to enjoy hobbies and activities I used to do. I feel so bad for my family and friends who have to deal with me never participating in anything. My parents are in their 80s and run circles around me. Its always been hard to match their energy level but now its impossible. They are so worried about this, and I worry about how I will ever take care of them if the need arises, I can hardly take care of myself these days!
I'm glad you've found the forum and I hope that knowing there are others in similar situations at least puts your mind at ease.

Sadly, many on here can attest that many doctors do not know how to taper someone off Effexor and many don't know the weaning process can be extremely fraught. I am amazed you hung in there as long as you did trying to taper off while working in a high-stress job like a jr. high teacher. Back in December, @cp6401 used the term "stress fragile" to describe how so many of us are during this process of getting off/reducing Effexor and even, afterwards.

Your second tapering schedule still sounds fast and the drops too steep. Most folks find it best to stabilize at level before attempting a drop. You will know pretty quickly if it's too soon--withdrawal symptoms will occur; you'll have to decide if they're bearable. P.S. I was on Effexor for 18 years, too--be aware that it gets stored in body fat; you're not really off Effexor until that gets used up.

Re supplements--
Do not take the supplements 5-htp, or L-tryptophan while on Effexor. I also learned the hard way don't take Dextromethorphan (yes, the cough medicine!). Also, if you have surgery, anesthesia and pain drugs (such as fentanyl and hydrocodone) can interact with Effexor. The DM and surgery drugs affected me even though I was only on 25mg Effexor!

I'm not a doctor and didn't try this myself, but others have used a "Prozac bridge"--read my post 4 days ago for more info and @jsprosise wrote back on May 9, 2018, "I had almost unbearable withdrawal problems every time that I tried to quit Effexor and always went back. The solution for me and several others (after I told them of the solution) has always worked. VERY SIMPLE ... take Prozac for 7 days along with the Effexor. After 7 days, stop taking Effexor and continue Prozac for 7 days ... NO WITHDRAWALS." @sandij a few posts up says, "... once the effexor wd starts the prozac bridge isn't effective." @jsprosise found it helpful even after withdrawal symptoms began, but s/he may have been unique.

@ksad I don't know if there are people who are ok coming off effexor. Obviously though if they aren't having issues they would have no reason to seek this forum out.
Don't be discouraged if your dr doesn't take your concerns seriously. I've seen several psychiatrists who don't even believe that withdrawal symptoms last longer than several weeks and write off the symptoms as being a recurrence of the diagnosis that caused a person to be on the medication in the first place. Which is ludicrous to me...I certainly wish they could feel what we feel like! Comparing wd to anxiety/depressive symptims is like apples to oranges.
As far as a taper goes, please look at information on websites such as the withdrawal project and mad in America. Also if you google "waves and windows" you should be led to a great explanation of what is happening to your CNS. I've written about it in previous posts but I know there is lots to sort through in this forum. I think you will find that the more you read, the more you will see the recurring themes among so many people who are going through this. If I were you I would hold your dosage or even updose until you feel stable. And you can't really go day by day..reference waves and windows..you will have good days and then suddenly be blindsided by symptoms days, weeks, months later. This to me is what is so frustrating. Plus, people will say "but you were doing so good, i thought your withdrawal was over, are you sure its withdrawal?" , which makes me want to strangle them. I had a nurse practitioner tell me he thought there was "something else going on" since I "shouldnt still be experiencing symptoms" and tried to put me on an antipsychotic! Just be forewarned that the medical community is sorely uneducated and unwilling to recognize the devastating side effects of a medication that they give out without a second thought. So hang in there, we understand. And I completely relate to your loss of your old self, your job, etc. I had to stop working and I miss those kids (I teach ESL online to kids in China) but more upsetting is the loss of the person I used to be. Even with reinstating after 6 months because I could not put myself through any more WD, things have not returned to normal and I don't know if they ever will. It really sucks too, to be unable to enjoy hobbies and activities I used to do. I feel so bad for my family and friends who have to deal with me never participating in anything. My parents are in their 80s and run circles around me. Its always been hard to match their energy level but now its impossible. They are so worried about this, and I worry about how I will ever take care of them if the need arises, I can hardly take care of myself these days!
I'm glad you've found the forum and I hope that knowing there are others in similar situations at least puts your mind at ease.

A few days in, maybe a week, I started getting really irritable.. like raging irritability... “ If that happens, know it’s temporary and will pass.

Oh, I had that ear noise too! It was one of the most disturbing things about withdrawal. Well, it's all disturbing, but that symptom was particularly so because I couldn't NOT hear it. Are you taking Omega 3? I had started before I even started a taper. I never had a brain zap during the whole process, I think it was due to the omega 3. Have a good day!

I wonder why the anesthesiologist didnt comment on the effexor dose? Is this common?