J
Overwhelming
September 1, 2026··
I was on venlafaxine for 8 years, and it was tapered off the way it is normally done, in less than four weeks. That’s when my nightmare began.
After that, we tried several different medications to stabilize me, but my mood has continued to deteriorate. I changed psychiatrists, and my new doctor explained that I am experiencing a protracted withdrawal brain injury. She believes that the best thing to do is give my brain time to heal.
We have tried different medications mainly to help me sleep, but my brain still feels extremely overwhelmed and unsettled. I experience tingling in my face, severe anxiety, an inability to sit still, and a burning sensation in my head.
My doctor says that, based on my diagnosis, these symptoms are part of the healing process and that my brain needs time to recover.
Right now, I’m looking for support from people who understand what this experience is like. I don’t necessarily need someone to fix it or give me medical advice. I need encouragement, understanding, and reassurance that recovery is possible. Some days are extremely difficult, and I’m trying to take things one day at a time while giving my brain the time it needs to heal. If anyone has gone through something similar and eventually recovered, hearing your experience would mean a lot to me. @Effexor
other — researching taper
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