Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

There is no shame attached to taking an antidepressant.
That being said, I was out to change all of my abuse and successfully did. I took myself off 16 medicines. 6 of which were sedating.
However. as Secretwhirepop said, getting off effexor leads to anxiety. It doesn't cause it, it just makes us aware of it.
I used CBD for a year until someone gave me a recipe to make it myself.
I use that 3 times a day and I am free of anxiety.
Bright Wings
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I NEVER GIVE UP.

Welcome new members, @jackbud13 @jassyj @tb2011 @sharbare. This discussion has over 5000 posts. It may be a long read, but well worth your while to read through the past post from wise members who have "been there" and who "get it."

Quoted 2 members from their posts today sums up the sagest of advice:
@brightwings Develop a plan BEFORE you need it.
@secretwhitepop You’re going to be ok and you’re going to ween off successfully, but you MUST ween incredibly slowly.

As @basil points out "Maybe this isn't the best time to go off an anxiety medication..." COVID-19 is an anxiety-ridden time. For that reason, @sheffieldsmith started this discussion that may be of interest to some of you.
- Now is NOT the time to be Tapering off Depression or Anti-Anxiety Meds https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/now-is-not-the-time-to-be-tapering-off-depression-or-anti-anxiety-meds/

Please continue to ask questions as you navigate safe tapering. When responding to another member, it helps to add that member's @username in your response as I have done here. Here is a blog post that helps explain how messages and replies work on Mayo Clinic Connect:
- Replies and @mentions: How do I know who is replying to whom? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/replies-and-mentions-how-do-i-know-who-is-replying-to-whom/

Good for you, smiling at you,
Bright Wings

I completely agree!
Bright Wings

Help. If someone needs help, as in bridge drugs, or someone to listen to them, in person, now, that may be found at a hospital. Being reassured that what you are feeling physically is not a heart attack, or ms, or anything else your mind is working on would be helped by having your blood pressure taken, by knowing you are being checked properly. This forum has shown that others are being helped in many ways and when in the depths of a bad time, getting help shouldnt be discouraged.

Thanks for reiterating that now is not the time to be doing a tapering off antidepressants/anxiety medications. I will be posting the plan that worked for me with very minimal side effects in the near future.. Please read my thread of posts @sheffieldsmith for a sneak preview as you PLAN your countdown to become Venlafaxine (Effexor) free.... ) but please do so only ONCE THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER, as your body and mind can only take so much bombardment of emotions at this time). Also, take the time to read and take notes on the above mentioned contributing members highlighted by our fabulous moderator, Colleen Young. Thank you again for keeping these conversations all tidied up, Colleen!

Good for you for your decission...
But you forgot to share all the reading and work you personally did to be where you are now.
FOLKS, THIS MAY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT THING YOU EVER ATTEMPTED. KNOW THAT UP FRONT.
We are here to assist, but you each have to do the work and research to stay mentally fit.
Bright Wings

@ksad
You speak truth....to a point.
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Normally, I would say go to the hospital...
However, covid 19 is in hospitals right now.
If you need to go, then go to the hospital. And be ultra careful there.
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I did, 5 times, cuz I needed their expertise. I had a tremendous amount of abuse as a kid. I needed that intervention.....
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Only you, each one of you can make that decission for yourselves.
Bright Wings

I agree! I was going to taper off Effexor back at the end of 2014. I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer again and knew I was looking at a double mastectomy and 18 rounds of chemo. I thought I'm only taking 25mg of Effexor for hot flashes (prescribed because of the first breast cancer treatment 14 years earlier), those are probably done and I am going to be taking a whole bunch of medications/drugs for this cancer treatment, so let's eliminate this one. My oncologist (same one from 2000) specifically told me NOT to quit Effexor—he said I was dealing with a lot of worrying stuff right then and shouldn't upset the apple cart.

@secretwhitepop, @texasdutchess,
A personal note...
Thank you so much for helping me the other day. Both of your words meant so much to me, I humbly thank each of you.
As you can see, I have taken action after action to help myself get past mourning my son who died a month ago.
I tell folks, I wont ask you to do anything I have not done to heal.....
Laughing, cuz I have done it all. Why, because I was worth it, that's why.
I have fought my way back to living a triumphant life inspite of my abuse. Come join me, if you choose.
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What changed, from focusing on my son's death so much?? And my grief?
Sadly I have learned, another son in Pakistan has covid 19. His entire family of 14 also have it.
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God sent me to 41 countries, not on my dime. I am an international mother. I have children of my heart on 5 different continents. The child of my body died a month ago.
For what ever reason God sent me, I am mother to so very many less fortunate folks.
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.I realized I have to be the strong one to help my sons and daughters in other countries get thru the hard times coming.
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That's why I am back, cuz helping folks helps me. Cuz, I am listening and reading myself.
Thanks for the love we shared while healing and now. I didnt realize how much you guys mean to me until just now...
Smiling at you again, loving you both,
Bright Wings