Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hope the new meds help @farmboy

It helps to do some stuff behavior-wise to help the meds work. I find the audio relaxation files at excelatlife. Com are helpful. Don't be surprised if you don't feel calmer right away. Learning to relax is a skill that not everyone has (I certainly had to learn!). Give it a try for a couple weeks. There are relaxation techniques audios as well as some to put on while having a panic attack.

If you're able to do it, I really recommend yoga. I know it has a reputation for being suggested by idiots but I was pleasantly surprised that it helped. And I'm fat and out of shape so while I feel very silly doing it, it does help a bit. Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube is a good place to start. Or if you like in person things, CorePower yoga usually has a free trial. (I stopped going after the free trial because expensive - but it was helpful to have someone help me with some of the poses and learn how to modify stuff so I can do it despite some physical problems).

This isn't really a reply, but I don't know how to do a new post on here. There's an article in today's New York Times -- March 5 -- that is about antidepressant withdrawal and a new study that backs up our experience:

``How to Quit Antidepressants: Very Slowly, Doctors Say
``Mustering solid evidence, two psychiatrists have denounced their field’s standard guidelines for how best to wean patients from depression medications.''

I think you can read it without having an online subscription. The article validates everything we've been saying on this blog. Apparently the study was prompted at least partly by reading the posts from people talking about their horrible experiences. It certainly backs up what we've been recommending about a slow taper; in fact, some of us may need to go even more slowly.
I highly recommend the article. I also read the summary of the Lancet article it's based on; I didn't read the whole thing because I would have had to pay for it, but I may well end up doing that because it's important to me to have the information.
Certainly we are not alone nor are we wimps!!!

Here's the link to the New York Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/health/depression-withdrawal-drugs.html

Here's the link to a Washington Post article on a new anti-depressant; the article just came online.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/03/06/biggest-advance-depression-years-fda-approves-novel-treatment-hardest-cases/?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.07d930baa96c

@farmboy
Oh, yeah. That's how I knew I was experiencing Effexor withdrawal effects. Never had anxiety, or panic attacks except during two instances when I was given other medications I shouldn't have while on Effexor. I did some research and sent my husband out to Vitamin Sh*ppe before it closed to pick up L-tryptophan (500mg); that helped tremendously--within an hour, I was able to calm down and even sleep after a week of insomnia and steadily mounting agitation. I, too, had tapered slowly off Effexor (25mg); I was fine for about 6-6.5 weeks and then, all of the Effexor (18 years' worth) stored in my body fat was gone.

Thank you for your reply. I will try some of these Technics. But yes I'm not a very good person to get myself calmed down. As far as you saying looking silly it's not silly if it helps you. Feel good that it works for you. Now this is silly or crazy,but the meds seem to be working a little bit. But I'm getting that depression feeling,lost, crying and etc that some talk about after quitting effexor. I'm beginning to wonder if this will ever end. Thank you for your reply and help.

I've been off of effexor for about 2 weeks now and the withdrawals are hitting like a ton of bricks. I was on it for 7 or 8 years. These withdrawals will make a person half sucidal. I don't have plans for killing myself but like I have told some people and a Dr I just want shut off and turn me back on when things are better. The meds they put me on is helping a little. But now the depression part is coming on. Lost ,confused, crying, scared and hot then cold. This is hell. I'm very thankful for everyone's replies and caring words. It differently helps to talk to people that has been through this.

O.K. thank you. I will check that out.

@farmboy
I'm so sorry that you had to go to the emergency room, but glad that you got real help while there. Please let us know how you get on.

Thank you. I have been trying to reply to all the emails. I will let you know how things are going or post me a note and I will reply. Thank you