The American healthcare system is yet again failing me so I'll be off my meds for between 2-7 days (send good vibes for me, my job and my family please) also i have laryngitis as well so I feel great 🙃

So here's what helps me get through the worst of my withdrawals I've been on effexor for 5 years or so.

⚠️❗ IMPORTANT- I am not a doctor I am only talking from personal experience and what I do in desperate times. I am not responsible for how my recommendations effect you. Please do your own research. Don't blindly follow a random person on the internet's ideas

Rest- I get lightheaded/ feel like my eyes run ag too few frames per second so being in the car and moving a lot feels awful I try just to sit on the couch or lay in bed mostly and nap a lot

Do things that release the happy chemicals naturally- things like masturbating or consuming cannabis helps me keep my mood up and not falling into a depressive episode. Of course if you normally don't consume cannabis I don't recommend starting but for me it really helps alleviate the worst of my side effects at least for a little while

Aspirin- or ibuprofen or naproxen etc. Whatever you headache medication of choice is keep it in your system during your withdrawal it helps with body aches and headaches. For me the headache behind my eyes can be unbearable at times

Salt- if you crave it eat salt rich food. I don't remember where I read that it can help but I know I crave salt like crazy when I'm going through withdrawal and in general eat what you crave theres usually a good reason why you crave it

Avoid other withdrawals if possible- if you consume nicotine or caffeine or other substances regularly now is not the time to quit if its not absolutely necessary. Withdrawal symptoms stack up and while you may be able to deal with a caffeine withdrawal headache most days when you're also having effexor withdrawal it sucks so much worse.

Ear plugs and eye mask- I get really light and sound sensitive weather that's a direct withdrawal symptom or a byproduct of my irritability I don't know but having the option to take a break from sound and light can keep me sane

Know it's ok to take a sick day. Trust me it I know its stressful financially or with grades to take even one sick day but remember you're not your most productive self when you feel like shit and you have to take care of yourself. I know I'm way more likely to snap at a coworker or customer when I'm going through withdrawal and honestly I don't feel I'm a safe driver when I'm going through withdrawals and I know I won't do my job to the best of my ability.