Not sure how much to reduce

Posted , 5 users are following.

I have been taking ventaflaxine XR capsules. I take one 75 and two 37.5 and my doctor wants me to stop taking one of the 37.5. I feel like that's too much. Especially when some people are only reducing a few beads at a time. I want to go slow so I am more comfortable. Any advice would be much appreciated smile I have been having really bad racing thoughts, anxiety, mania, and obsession. Are these normal withdrawal symptoms?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Totally normal. Are you taking max strength fish oil and drinking plenty. Drs just don't understand how difficult it is to wean down. To my own cost I came down to quickly. The advise I was given is go back up a bit until you feel stable, which takes around 4 days and stay there for a few weeks. Take it slow and easy, it may take months, but I'm sure it's worth doing properly...

    • Posted

      No I am not sure how much to go down she wanted me to reduce the whole capsule but I want to go slower than that.
  • Posted

    "I have been having really bad racing thoughts, anxiety, mania, and obsession. Are these normal withdrawal symptoms?" Depends how much you already reduced and how long ago?

  • Posted

    I'm not on XR but I am on Venlefaxine 300mg for a few years. Recently I took it into my head (foolishly, that is part of the deal with mental health) to stop all my medications and went cold turkey for a few days. This included anti-psychotics and epilepsy medication as well. Anyway, other than feeling slightly sick I didn't feel too bad. I also counted my meds incorrectly when I went on a recent holiday. I had to reduce my dose to half to make the meds last through the holiday. Other than feeling a bit more tired than usual I was fine.

    Maybe I am just lucky but I think I could come off Venlafaxine easily if I needed to. I know some people struggle a lot. If I were you I would just give it a go. You may be fine and if not go back to GP and increase the dose a bit.

    Personally I can't image coming off Venlafaxine, it is keeping me ticking along and I think I would be back in a state without it.

    BW, BM.

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