Stopping Vanlafaxine cold turkey from 150mg - day 3
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi everyone, I'm looking to see if anyone has stopped Venlafaxine cold turkey from 150mg.
I was on 450mg for 2 years and Pit on 30kgs. As much as the medication helped me mentally it crushed me physically. I decided I wanted off. I cut back 1 table, so was down to 300mg for three weeks. I had bad flu like symptoms and wanted to sleep all week. It was bearable so I then cut back another tablet and was down to 150mg. Same thing, I could handle it so two weeks later I stopped cold turkey. I'm now on day 3 cold turkey and feel like I'm on my death bead. I have had the worst headache ever and feel like I'm on my death bed. I am tempted to take a tablet but couldn't bare to go through this again.
Any idea when I will start to feel better? I'm taking Advil, fish oil tablets 1500mg and am drinking lots of water.
2 likes, 37 replies
lynne82155 addi19564
Posted
See your doctor
maria_1963 lynne82155
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laura08496 addi19564
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oh my, i don't know how you've managed to do this on your own. i've cut back on certain medications in the past, and each time i've gotten very sick. after only two days.....and while under the supervision of my doctor. things dont have to be this uncomfortable for you, dangerous even. i am not trying to scare you. but please contact your doctor.
hopefully you'll feel better, sooner than later. good luck to you, feel better. call your doctor. okay? O.....( that O was a hug )
addi19564 laura08496
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laura08496 addi19564
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addi19564 laura08496
Posted
shel153 addi19564
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Thx and good luck
shel153 laura08496
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Best wishes
lisalisa67 addi19564
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addi19564 lisalisa67
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lisalisa67 addi19564
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addi19564 lisalisa67
Posted
You're absolutely right. I must admit! It was the worst week of my life. I felt as though I would never feel normal again.
I wouldn't recommend anyone coming off this drug to do what I did. My GP wanted me
To reduce my dosage by 75mg, due to my stubborness! I told him I was stopping cold turkey.
He phoned a few times and I would only answer if I felt up to talking, if I didn't answer! My mum would be around wishing the hour. On a positive, I am now 19 (I think) days free and feel great. One thing that helped me dramatically was when my mum came over she would force me out of bed make a cup of tea then go for a little walk. Also anti nausea tablets. Without them, I would not have been able to go to the bathroom.
addi19564
Posted
I'm not recommending anyone should do what I did. But wanted to keep you updated. 😊😚
Digsby addi19564
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I did come off Venlafaxine cold turkey in December 2014 but I was only on 225mg and I had only been on them for a few months. I was taking them for suicidal depression and the side effects were tipping me over the edge. I would never recommend the "cold turkey" approach but I understand why people do it. We are usually desperate when we see our doctor and medication can be a last resort. When the meds make us feel even worse, it can really seem like our last hope has failed. The brain zaps were the worst withdrawal symptom for me but I did ride out the storm in about a week. I remember reading that it could take months to slowly wean off high doses of this drug (and I guess that's the best way to wean off any medication that has been in your system longterm). Good luck mate - I hope you are through the worst of the withdrawal. I do believe that there is a right medication to help all of us - it's just a case of finding the right drug and the right level. Take care :-)
addi19564 Digsby
Posted
I am super happy to say that I am past the symptoms which kept me bedridden. I am doing more around the house etc.. One thing I have noticed, I am really moody "not me at all" I seem to snap at the slightest thing. I am also really emotional, I cry over the tiniest thing.
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow to see where to from here, hopefully I will "like you said" find what is right for me 😊
Digsby addi19564
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leanne3690 addi19564
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I've been on Valdoxan for almost a month and I'm sure once the withdrawal symptoms go I'll be great.
But today is not that day!
addi19564 leanne3690
Posted
Keep it up Hun and try and sleep as much as you can. I am still taking the fish oil tablets as I believe they helped to a degree.
It will feel like you won't ever feel normal again, but that is only when you are at your worse. Be proud of how far you've come! I'm so glad I did it cold turkey. Here to chat if you ever feel like it xx
leanne3690 addi19564
Posted
Day 6 and I'm full of anger and these stupid tears that just wont stop.
I'll start on some fish oil today...certainly can't hurt! The diazepam helps too I guess.
I just want to feel normal again. I cant even remember now why I needed to stop taking the venlafaxine. I want this hell to be over and I'm looking forward to day 7 8 and 9. They can't come soon enough.
I'm so happy to hear you are feeling so much better. Are you on any other depression medication now?
Thanks for listening. It's good to share with someone who can relate. X
addi19564 leanne3690
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Just wanted to check on you to see how you are going and feeling?
leanne3690 addi19564
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This is certainly the most hellish rollercoaster I've ever endured! From my anger outbursts I've broken my phone and my glasses and while i can go for hours without crying, when i start i can't stop.
But each day seems less horrific than the last...so i guess it's almost over.
My day seemed to start well today i was even feeling my self untill my neices daughter knocked over and broke my mirror.agh...7 years bad luck. The thought of this going on for 7 years! I'm back to a blubbering mess and a floor covered in shattered mirror.
There is still a light at the end of the tunnel. Im positive!
I hope you're feeling better with each new day. We all deserve to feel well and happy right?
Take care my friend and thank you for caring xx
addi19564 leanne3690
Posted
I feel great even back into excercising. One thing I still have is a short fuse. I can be fine one minute then the slightest thing can upset me and two I end up in tears.
You're exactly right! We all deserve to be happy so let's support each other and get on that rollercoaster to all smiles x