Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Thank you for sharing and to all who are in this group. I’ve been up for three hours now and the physical symptoms are already kicking in. I can’t just sit, I have to move , want to cry, and then want to scream and punch things. I’m going back up to 75mg. My wife has witnessed my decline, our daughter misses her silly Mama , and I just want one day when I don’t feel like an addict, just waiting to take my poison. My body, mind and family need a break. This feels like defeat. Reading these posts help dissipate this negativity but this is just really freaking hard.

Ginger helped tremendously with my wife’s nausea when we were pregnant. It does help!

I cant stress strongly enough how important it is to taper by the smallest amounts over a long period. So important. 175 to 37.5 overnight is torture and l can't believe a Dr would recommend that. And that is another issue. How man GPS are properly qualified to prescribe these meds. It should be handled by Drs who specialise in MENTAL ILLNESSES. Even then it is not easy to find the med that suits the patient.

Thanks so much. I do see a psychiatrist who prescribes for me but this was a mess up and we both came to the conclusion that the worst part may be over. To her credit she did tell me I can go up in dosing at anytime if I felt discomfort. This should t have been a decision but rather her new script as I don’t know that I knew enough to make an informed decision. I’ve been on all kinds of meds since I was 23. This is the worst and I’ve been on some bad stuff. My therapist suggested acupuncture for the physical toll it is taking . Anyone have an opinion?

...sorry I wish I could give an opinion that would help you. Thing is, we all have our lives to live outside the doctor's office... and a Plan to taper or whatever sounds possible while discussing it with a doctor but then get home to our various lives and problems and coping and issues to deal with , and possibly many other illnesses, or caring for someone else; money issues; fatigue and trying to keep a household together and stresses : it's not as if we can leave dr office and go back to some peace and tranquility and have someone at our beck and call when we are having a difficult time...life is hard and it is a lot more hard for some than others and doctors see us for a few minutes in their office and come up with a Plan. Try putting that Plan in place when "life" has other plans for us.... we arent like some movie stars who go into rehab an get the best of help 24/7... we are dealing with withdrawal, other illnesses, (and like the lady who has to climb stairs to get to her apt. while ill), etc. etc. coping best we can. and I am not blaming doctors they cant follow us home and hold our hands, but it is HARD, and harder for some people than others I am tired of hearing: Oh, Mr..... did it; oh Mrs so and so found it easy...we are not all the same . Happy for those who achieves results more easily but some of us need more help and it's not there!!!

Thank you. This site is so helpful. It will get better, I know. But you are absolutely right- drs only know you for 15 to 30 minutes. Meds seem to be the only answer. I’m on so many I don’t even know which one is supposed to do what. There’s a person behind it all just wanting to know if the medicated me is the real one or a dulled version based on someone else’s idea of normal.

@dmp532
If you’re referring to the physical problems related to your Effexor taper just decrease your taper amount. Simple and effective. I don’t understand for the life of me why you say it's so hard, what is hard about just taking a little bit less instead of a lot less and suffering withdrawal. If you insist you’re unable to do it yourself you need to enlist the help of a doctor and a compounding pharmacist. I have to use a sterile compounding pharmacy for one of my meds and yes they are more expensive however insurance may pay especially if your doctor intervenes on your behalf. However, you may have to pay him for doing so. Another reason for going very slowly, who’s to say your depression or whatever problem you’re taking it for will completely go away. By going slowly you can check the progress of your condition. You may need to continue on some type of medication. Don't be afraid to confront your doctor and insist on the treatment you need. Remember who works for who and a medical degree isn't a guarantee they always know best. If you read this thread you’ll see how wrong they have been and how much pain and agony they have caused unnecessarily.
I wish you the very best of luck,
Jake

@dmp532
As far as acupuncture is concerned I have personally never had any experience with it.
however I took my father to a couple of them although their treatments were unsuccessful. I wonder if my dad‘s paralysis could have been the reason why it wasn’t successful. He was paralyzed from the neck down and perhaps that may have played a part in it, I certainly don't know. however I have heard from people who have been very successfulon.
good luck with that also,
Jake

It’s so hard for the life of me because I have a mental illness that makes challenging others decisions difficult and frightening.

@dmp532 your last words resonated with me and I would say I too no longer know who I am; or rather, I certainly am not the person I used to be... after illness, pain , suffering, medications, lots of time in or on bed: from the busy working wife and mother I was.it is very very hard fo rme to accept. Wishing you the best, J.