1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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texasduchess | @texasduchess | Apr 17, 2020
In reply to @brightwings "Hello all, It's been a long time since I posted anything personal but its time... My..." + (show)
@brightwings

Hello all,
It's been a long time since I posted anything personal but its time...
My son died march 12th.
I'm really suffering. We still dont have autopsy results but it was probably heroin. 46 years old
I'm working hard to pull out all my tricks to fight depression, I'm not going back on any pills.
So I sit and feel the pain and sometimes I cant even breathe.
This one is going to take some time to pass.
Bright Wings, floundering.....

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Dear Brightwings,

I am so very, very sorry. My sincerest condolences on the tragic loss of your son. You are in my thoughts. Please know you have a friend here.

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1 reply
sheffieldsmith | @sheffieldsmith | Apr 17, 2020
In reply to @brightwings "Hello all, It's been a long time since I posted anything personal but its time... My..." + (show)
@brightwings

Hello all,
It's been a long time since I posted anything personal but its time...
My son died march 12th.
I'm really suffering. We still dont have autopsy results but it was probably heroin. 46 years old
I'm working hard to pull out all my tricks to fight depression, I'm not going back on any pills.
So I sit and feel the pain and sometimes I cant even breathe.
This one is going to take some time to pass.
Bright Wings, floundering.....

Jump to this post

Sincere condolences on the passing of your dearest son. I cannot imagine the darkest nights of the soul you or your son have endured up to this point. It seems that many already teetering on the edge have lost hope during this time of pandemic sheltering, social distancing, and resulting repercussions of job loss, unemployment and economic uncertainties. The coping skills for adversity that our parents and grandparents used in their hard times are the very ones we need to dig deep and draw upon today. It is our legacy to us, and we must all recognize therein lies our superpower to endure and thrive. Nurses already seem to have innate, pragmatic superpowers that most of us are in awe of when they are confronted with their own personal losses. I’ve observed it in my nurse sister-in-law who lost her husband (only brother to my husband) to a virulent strain of pneumonia 6 years ago. Her understanding of the life and death cycles, and strength of purpose to push forward in faith has been an inspiration to all her adult children, as well as my husband and myself. Sitting with her grief, without meds, was her choice and a remarkable testament to how the human body can grieve and endure a great loss while carrying on each day with meaning and hope for the future. I pray that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the positive light and presence of those who have endured their great losses and weathered the similar storms you have encountered.....May the hard work of sitting with your grief and loss as you “endure the darkest nights of the soul” serve to strengthen and renew your faith and hope for the future. Love and Peace to you as you make those baby steps, Brightwings...Your beloved son is at peace, and may you find solace in knowing his struggles are now over. 🙏❤️🙏

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1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Apr 17, 2020
In reply to @sheffieldsmith "Sincere condolences on the passing of your dearest son. I cannot imagine the darkest nights of..." + (show)
@sheffieldsmith

Sincere condolences on the passing of your dearest son. I cannot imagine the darkest nights of the soul you or your son have endured up to this point. It seems that many already teetering on the edge have lost hope during this time of pandemic sheltering, social distancing, and resulting repercussions of job loss, unemployment and economic uncertainties. The coping skills for adversity that our parents and grandparents used in their hard times are the very ones we need to dig deep and draw upon today. It is our legacy to us, and we must all recognize therein lies our superpower to endure and thrive. Nurses already seem to have innate, pragmatic superpowers that most of us are in awe of when they are confronted with their own personal losses. I’ve observed it in my nurse sister-in-law who lost her husband (only brother to my husband) to a virulent strain of pneumonia 6 years ago. Her understanding of the life and death cycles, and strength of purpose to push forward in faith has been an inspiration to all her adult children, as well as my husband and myself. Sitting with her grief, without meds, was her choice and a remarkable testament to how the human body can grieve and endure a great loss while carrying on each day with meaning and hope for the future. I pray that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the positive light and presence of those who have endured their great losses and weathered the similar storms you have encountered.....May the hard work of sitting with your grief and loss as you “endure the darkest nights of the soul” serve to strengthen and renew your faith and hope for the future. Love and Peace to you as you make those baby steps, Brightwings...Your beloved son is at peace, and may you find solace in knowing his struggles are now over. 🙏❤️🙏

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Thank you for your beautifully expressed thoughts encompassing all that passed through my mind, but didn't make it through to written words. I hope Brightwings finds comfort in your words as I did.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 17, 2020
In reply to @brightwings "You said it all so well. I thank you so much. It's like this is my..." + (show)
@brightwings

You said it all so well. I thank you so much.
It's like this is my home group and that's what I need right now, my homies.
We do not have autopsy results yet but probably heroin overdose. 46 years old....
I think I've been coming here working with all of you for almost 3 1/2 years.
Laughing but not, cuz I help others heal only this time I need the words.
Being an RN, I have helped countless folks heal from loved ones deaths. But this really sucks....

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@brightwings
I too want to offer you my sincerest condolences.
I’ve included a poem I received over 30 years ago when my father passed. It helped me and I hope it helps you.
I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be suffering. I’ve had several friends lose children and they all say there’s nothing worse.
Please feel free to call me (Do you still have my #) day or night doesn’t matter, I always enjoy talking with you.
The closest I can come to understanding how you’re feeling is the recent loss of my Mother a few months ago.
My memories are a great help to me, I hope yours will help guide you through this difficult time of sadness.
With deepest sympathy,
Leonard aka Jake

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2 replies
sheffieldsmith | @sheffieldsmith | Apr 17, 2020

Beautiful poem! Thank you for posting, Jake!

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sheffieldsmith | @sheffieldsmith | Apr 17, 2020

Indeed, it is our collective thoughts and prayers that are comforting and powerful, TexasDuchess. Peace and love to all who are reminded of their own painful losses in life as we sit with our own memories.❤️🙏

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Apr 17, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@brightwings I too want to offer you my sincerest condolences. I’ve included a poem I received..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@brightwings
I too want to offer you my sincerest condolences.
I’ve included a poem I received over 30 years ago when my father passed. It helped me and I hope it helps you.
I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be suffering. I’ve had several friends lose children and they all say there’s nothing worse.
Please feel free to call me (Do you still have my #) day or night doesn’t matter, I always enjoy talking with you.
The closest I can come to understanding how you’re feeling is the recent loss of my Mother a few months ago.
My memories are a great help to me, I hope yours will help guide you through this difficult time of sadness.
With deepest sympathy,
Leonard aka Jake

Jump to this post

Jake, Really Wonderful!
Richard(Sundance)

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1 reply
Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 17, 2020

Wow, I cant thank you all enough. You all helped me so much.
I just learned that my son in Pakistan and his family of 14 have CV.
I'm an international mother, having traveled to 41 countries, not on my dime.
I have released the grief to stand up to help others, which I do so well.
My eyes are shining and twinkling again. I'm standing tall, I am opening my gifts from attending so many Sacred Peyote ceremonies. I have connected with the trees. Remember, I am an Elder at a native American Church.
Gifts like this are opened thru the Sacred Plant Medicine.
I am headed to bed. I am pooped but good, so good.
Smiling at you, Bright Wings.

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2020
In reply to @texasduchess "Dear Brightwings, I am so very, very sorry. My sincerest condolences on the tragic loss of..." + (show)
@texasduchess

Dear Brightwings,

I am so very, very sorry. My sincerest condolences on the tragic loss of your son. You are in my thoughts. Please know you have a friend here.

Jump to this post

Thanks Texasdutchess. Your words mean so much to me.
I am so pleased to report, I am back to my strong self.
So many folks reached out to me and helped me so much from around the world.
I was reminded, I am an International mother.
God sent me to 41 countries, not on my dime.
Today I am sanding tall, I connected with the trees again and my roots are sunk deep to recieve the love, strength and energy of the trees.
My body is even strong today. I now have body, mind and spirit connected again.
I humbly thank all of you.
Bright Wings, flying strong today.

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Apr 18, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@brightwings I too want to offer you my sincerest condolences. I’ve included a poem I received..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@brightwings
I too want to offer you my sincerest condolences.
I’ve included a poem I received over 30 years ago when my father passed. It helped me and I hope it helps you.
I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be suffering. I’ve had several friends lose children and they all say there’s nothing worse.
Please feel free to call me (Do you still have my #) day or night doesn’t matter, I always enjoy talking with you.
The closest I can come to understanding how you’re feeling is the recent loss of my Mother a few months ago.
My memories are a great help to me, I hope yours will help guide you through this difficult time of sadness.
With deepest sympathy,
Leonard aka Jake

Jump to this post

How extremely wonderful. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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