Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@iindeyt01: @LLndeyt01, I have taken Effexor [and several other anti-depreaasants] in the past and then discontinued it, so I understand your concern about withdrawal symptoms. In case you suddenly stop Effexor [as I did] and immediately start Celexa, there is a high probability that you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms. You haven't written what dose of Effexor you are taking. CBD/Hemp oil is not an anti-depressant but an anti-anxiety substance, so it may not be advisable to substitute it for an anti-depressant.

@lindeyt01 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You want to be off of Effexor and all anti-depressants before you try to get pregnant. You have tried in the past to get off of Effexor but due to the withdraw symptoms you had to go back to your normal dose. You want to find a natural replacement for Effexor. Did I get that right?

Effexor is notoriously one of the most difficult anti-depressants to ween off of and emotional support is important. You will notice that I moved your question to a previous discussion related to minimizing withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. I did this so you could connect with members like @hopalongnm3 @secretwhitepop @sunshinebb @sears @karathine99 @olivia75 that can offer you emotional support and suggestions.

Below I have linked related discussions where members like @jeanster @jojo5 @behrouz @texasduchess @sears @doorman @vickimurray have recently discussed the topic of Effexor. You may wish to scroll through the previous discussions and posts for information and to connect with members.
- Effexor discontinuation symptoms: Missed 2 days (150 mg) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/effexor-discontinuation-symptoms/
- Long term effects AFTER withdrawing from Effexor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-term-effects-after-withdrawing-from-effexor/

You have posted in the topic linked below regarding Effexor and CBD oil.
- Weaning off Effexor with CBD Oil https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weaning-off-effexor-with-cbd-oil/

May I ask if you intend to use CBD oil during pregnancy or as a means to lessen the withdraw symptoms of effexor? I'm wondering if you have a positive relationship with your provider that prescribes you Effexor? Would you feel comfortable running non-medication alternatives past your provider?

@lindeyt01
“The withdraws have been so bad that I went up going back on it.”
Could you share your previous taper schedule?
Jake

Effexor truly needs to be taken off the market.

The first time i tapered my doctor had me continue to take 10 mg of Celexa for a few weeks in addition to 37.5 mg of Effexor, this did help with the side effects. At the time I had not been on Celexa very long before switching.

I experienced the female version on Celexa.

@hopalongnm3 Thank you for your support. I watched an episode of Our America with Lisa Ling that discussed the microdosing.

I just came across this group and am grateful for it. I am on week 4 of tapering with Effexor and the struggle is real. This has been so hard and I’ve been tempted to either stop all together or just go back on it. I want to cry a lot but no tears come, it is just the physical feeling of crying and it comes out of nowhere. I get up at 4am and pace for an hour. I am not a runner at all and the other day I sprinted a block and a half because of the frantic feeling I was experiencing. I either want to stuff myself full of Hershey kisses or never eat again. Therapy helps but this is really hard and tough I think for people who have not experienced it to truly grasp. Thank you for being here.

Withdrawal symptoms are the big tip off that you are tapering too fast; tapering off slowly minimizes them. You and your doctor (if it's his/her tapering plan) might want to reconsider the speed at which you are tapering and the amount you are dropping with each taper.

You can click on my name and read my previous posts. 9/26/2020 has links to articles about helpful supplements and ways your doctor can mitigate/ease withdrawal.

@cp6401 used the term "stress fragile" to describe how so many of us are during the process of getting off/reducing Effexor and even, afterwards. I certainly recognize your need to run and pace—it's a fight, or flight reaction. Distraction helps—reading, hobbies, work, chores, gardening, exercise, etc. I was mindful of what I watched (nothing frenetic, violent, or disturbing), read (cozy mysteries, or romances were good), or listened to (no atonal, or dissonant music)–some things were just too agitating. Getting natural light to my eyes was extremely beneficial for lifting my mood and calming me ... not sunbathing, but getting out and seeing daylight–take a walk, or at least, get out of your house for 5–10 minutes, even if it's just stepping out onto a patio.

It's odd but I am "trying" to give personal experience advice and having a very rough morning here... lots of irons in the fire... waiting for phone calls, blood test results etc. but phsycially with my illnesses about a 3/10 - been there, done that, is appropriate quote, but still here, still happening isn't as funny.. just having a daily shower is a feat for me and feeling sorry for myself is easy.... thoughts go to all who are suffering, short term, long term, older, younger, physically, mentally.... emotionally. Gone are the days where I could face one medical challenge at a time, raising 2 children and working, but this has been a long long stretch, my bed covered with files, printed articles, diary..... no family dr. so relying on clinic dr. but she was good over phone yesterday and spouse zipped me up to our hospital for blood tests. in on way I hope they dont find anything yet in another I do: so I can say: told you I had "something." Take care everyone... tape I listened to last night he said: make a wish for deep sleep, a relaxed body and a Peaceful mind... I wish that for us all too, especially the last one. J.