Withdrawal

Although I have been switched to Trintellix, the withdrawal from Effexor is painful – at multiple levels. Is it gastric? Acid reflux and heartburn? Indigestion? Various body pains? Joint pains? Or this heavy anxiety, especially health anxiety…it is painful. Brain fogs? Very low physical and social energy days? Or the days when you feel bad about yourself and not good enough? Or when you become short-tempered and rude? Or the random panic feelings and heart palpitations? The list is long; symptoms come and go in waves. Some days are good, and some aren’t – there’s no specific pace or rhythm. It’s hard to commit to any plans ahead since I never know how I’ll feel by then. Many have said the withdrawal timeline is a year or even longer, but I am accepting this.

I took Effexor for about 3+ years, and it worked great on me. I was really doing great, but now thinking back of the whole journey, nothing in earth worth experiencing this painful withdrawal journey.