I've stopped taking my venlafaxine 150 mg
Posted , 12 users are following.
i know all the guidance suggest slow withdrawal. My memory is terrible and making silly mistakes when typing is sooo frustrating I could go on ....
anyway 3 days ago I stopped taking the tabs. I'm not feeling very good, headaches, numbness in head, lips and tongue. Aching all over. But I am determined to get off them.
I am am looking for discussion with people doing something similar to help me through what could be a rough time.
also can't sleep but feel tired, hence writing at 3:20am. Nausea and a bit emotional. Irritable !!!! I am biting everyone's head off except the dog who is getting lots of walks, excercise make sure me feel better. Washed 4 cars yesterday.
1 like, 54 replies
betsy0603 david55690
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david55690 betsy0603
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betsy0603 david55690
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If it gets really ugly, you could try reinstating 75 mg and see if it gives you relief. Then stabilize for a good month before beginning a slowish taper. 10% per month is the very conservative rate suggested by withdrawal authorities, but you could perhaps get away with 20% since you haven't been on it super long.
I was on it for 12 years when I came off too fast, and went through 10 months of protracted withdrawal before reinstating 37.5 mg. I am now doing the very slow taper, because after that many years my system is clearly quite dependent on the drug and is very slow to adapt back.
david55690 betsy0603
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really appreciate the feedback and the time you have taken. That alone is lifting for me so thanks again!
i feel a bit stubborn in my CT approach. Do a degree if it was easy, I would be disappointed, given the last 12 months and what I have put the family through - does that make sense? Maybe just to me!
wow 90% of receptors blocked.
distraction is working at the moment. Just writing on this discussion I find I'm that some of the symptoms of CT have improved, which leads me to think that keeping active, both physically (walking the dog, cleaning the cars) and mentally is the key for me at this time.
shelbytrev betsy0603
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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So, when I reinstated 37.5 mg everything changed within one hour No side effects, though I did have numb lips/tongue. Since my doc reduced the mirt by 20% at the same time as adding the ven, I don't know if it was a ven start up side effect or a mirt WD effect.
If I had known that it was withdrawal, "maybe" I could have held on and pushed through, but not knowing that, it was terrifying. My whole family was worried for me with the severity of my symptoms.
getingbetterguy betsy0603
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Hope you were not too discouraged about reinstating the 37.5.
For me, the homeopathic delivery of pure Venlafaxibe, after breaking down the 37.5 caps by 1/4 every 10 days, is fair. Its two pills on the tongue once a day (and that comes with all the guidelines for how to take and store any homeopathic remedy.
The Brain scratching (with legt/right eye movement), cog fog, derealization, sweats, and labile affect is still menecing for me and my supportive wife.
I know people have parts who don't want to be dependent on a doctor to help get them off this SNRI or they don't want to believe their brain is already dependent on the drug, but it is. Don't "go cold turkey".
shelbytrev betsy0603
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shelbytrev
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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I forget how fast you went off, though I know you from here and SA. You always have the option of updosing a little. How are you feeling now?
shelbytrev betsy0603
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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I think menopause was another reason I didn't recognize WD. I had also come off the pill because I figured I HAD to be in menopause - mom and sis had been through it by my age - so double whammy of coming off those hormones, stopping Effexor and not knowing if the severe sweats and cog fog were due to menopause! Fun times!
getingbetterguy david55690
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jake-
Kit1981 david55690
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david55690
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Having finally gone to sleep around 6am ( tea a biscuit at 5:30) I'm now getting up to face the day. Lying here feels ok! Some lip numbness. But the headache appears to have gone.
appreciate all the feedback. The thought of being in your thoughts is helping beyond all belief, I wish I shared before now.
Kit1981 david55690
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david55690 Kit1981
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i will if gets overbearing!
I asked my wife to give me a list of things to do around the house, and thought that by seeing the things that I had done it would improve the mood. 3 weeks on and 4 of the 6 are still on there. This was my measure as to how I was doing on the tabs. I would rather sleep in and if I could all day I would.
I was alive but not living.
I know it's a bit drastic, but at the moment I feel the old David is re-appearing, made breakfast for the family, cleaned up the kitchen. All stuff that would have been like climbing Everest last week.
I appear to have the sweats at the moment so I need to go out in the cold. Dog walk I think. Also as I move my eyes around, I hearing a buzzing noise as if little motors are operating them! Weird
Kit1981 david55690
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betsy0603 david55690
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I know of a doctor who went cold turkey off a similarly high dose cold turkey and he is 17 months out and still in withdrawal hell. The longer you wait to reinstate the more likely reinstatement won't work, which is why he isn't try that. After that long in he doesn't want to start over. I think the worst of withdrawal comes later out and isn't physical so much as mental, and that is where people just can't take it any more. The deep depression, fear, doom, suicidal ideation, cortisol spikes bolting you awake at night - these are the protracted symptoms that a slow taper hopefully prevents.
Healing from withdrawal (from a too fast taper or cold turkey) happens in a windows and waves pattern. You may start to feel better after the physical symptoms start to die back (a window) followed by a wave, back and forth. It's not linear and has nothing to do with the drug being in or out of your system. It's about the neurons trying to adapt back. Thing is, it isn't just the serotonin production and receptors that need to heal; a myriad of other neurotransmitters, hormones, etc. are intertwined by feedback loops with eachother, so they are trying to heal and establish balance, too.
Just wanted to give you a head's up in case you start to feel better but get slammed again.
david55690 betsy0603
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A number of things stood out for me:
1. looking around the room were normal people of all ages and life experiences. I was not alone, and so many people suffer. At the time I was not ready to make friends and share experiences. I was worried that I would see someone i knew. I just wanted to get it over with and get home quick!! But just seeing these people all wrestling with their own very real condition, maybe like me, but all wanting to take away something that make it go away.
2. First session we were told to go on YouTube and look for I had a black dog his name was depression. This explained everything for me and i could relate to the analigy. I also showed it to my wife and we looked at the living with a black dog link too. My wife would sometimes ask me how big the dog was today and sometimes I would say to her that the dog is big today.
3. I found the relaxation techniques good and this helped me sleep.
4. I think I also realised that things would not be the same again.
Betsy, I know that you are looking out for me and I am sure that whilst i feel in better mood, there is still a way to go.
Having people to share this with is great for me.
I have noticed that I'm eating more annd shortly after eating I feel sick for a couple of hours.
We've only had the dog 6 months and i think he has been a contributor to me wanting to take control again. Poor thing has been walked nearly 4 hours today!
I met one of my Brothers today and he urged me to also taper.
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shelbytrev betsy0603
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shelbytrev betsy0603
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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Reinstating is about bringing relief to the nervous system, and then commencing with such a gradual taper that the nervous system can adjust without big withdrawal symptoms, keeping one functional and living life. Healing happens eventually for everyone, but it can be a much more extreme ride when not having tapered off slowly. CTs will not make withdrawal be over with faster and may prolong it.
shelbytrev betsy0603
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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Hold awhile longer now that you are seeing improvements, I'd say. I just had a bad stretch because I switched to a home-made liquid mirtazapine (the other drug I am tapering) and I think it lost its potency...anxiety welling up and mood swings. I know what you mean about anxiety over the smallest things. I've had that surge of anxiety looking at a coffee cup phenomenon LOL! Gotta laugh or you'll cry, right?
Just notice when you are "doing it to yourself," don't judge but recognize when the thoughts happen, sit with it and let them float on by.
The other day I had a mood swing day where I had a crying spell. Instinct is to fight the emotions, but I thought to myself "I feel so sad!" and just acknowledged it, and then it passed and my mood lifted. Notice and accept.
shelbytrev betsy0603
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betsy0603 shelbytrev
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I've gotten blown out of the water with stressors, too. Our nervous system is highly sensitive now so we must do our best to go easy and protect ourselves from stress.
shelbytrev betsy0603
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getingbetterguy betsy0603
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Been watching the discussion each day. Also learning more about the pharmokinetics of VEN (venlafaxine). There are published articles on "discontinuance syndrome," which explains most of the adverse symptoms we are talking about here. (this is not the same a seretonin syndrome).
The electrical scratching / static sound is an all day occurance for me. Doing physical ptojects for istraction helps, as long as I compensate for the balance problems. I am really hating this experience. The mood swings (extreme behaviors), are real difficult for my wife. I am reacting to almost anything she dies from a defensive, insecure place, and doing something unlike me... shouting at her. I'm passionately fighting with her, while feeling like I am watching myself asking, why I don't calm down? I could not find my off switch yesterday and emotionally sooth (something I would usually practice). I am even saying (shouting) things that I regret later. She knows about the VEN withdrawl and supports getting through it, but at what cost? I can feel heightened emotions (also crying at sad or scary scenes in TV shows or movies). Wantibg to snap at others, So iritated with them... or angry. Ugh!!! So not only is this hard on my biochemistry and soul, its hurtful to the ones close to me. Anyone relate?
david55690 getingbetterguy
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I am concerned at the nastiness in me to those closest. The Wife and the kids are getting short shrift. I did warn them that things may get worse before they get better!
i have had a great day, if we put the biting heads off (3 plus the dog) to one side. Didn't sleep much last, so I was expecting to be tired and I was keen to see whether I would get up at a reasonable time or stay in bed given the house would be mostly empty as the family go back to work, school and college. Up before 9am and I have not stopped. In fact I have only just gone to bed. Here's the list in no particular order.
Spent 3 hours cleaning the oven
sorted my sons car accident claim with calls to various bods
Finished the Danish pastries from costco for breakfast
no lunch
took dog for two long walks and met several dog walkers and chatted away.
spoke to and emailed potential job opportunities.
A friend came round late morning for a quick brew. Plenty of banter given I was high on Brillo oven cleaner - joke!
spent 4 hours setting up and applying for apprenticeships for my eldest.
Wife went out for meal she had told me apparently - I snapped!
Youngest and I had dinner together ( I apologised for my miserable behaviour yesterday and told him I would try harder - clever little devil said what at being miserable!).
No 2 child ringing me to collect from the gym. Made his dinner.
i made milkshakes for my youngest and I. Something else I have found since withdrawing. Youngest had a snicker and I had grape and strawberry one (recommend).
having cleaned the oven I proceeded to dismantle the extractor hood and the gas burners Even removed the knobs on the cooker - you would think I was nesting;-) although not as daft as it sounds. I was told that two of my Neice's are expecting again!
Wife came home - made her favourite milky coffee - still a bit cool between us!
started to clean the dishwasher in great detail, removing seals and cleaning the bits that catch all the foodstuff like hinges etc..
I found some Oust and decided to descale the kettle and the iron. The kettle looks new!
stripped the kitchen bin down and gave thorough clean. Even took out the dint I made in it last week. Not sure the household were too happy with me using a rolling pin at 2am.
decide to mop the kitchen floor. The mop bucket was filthy. Stripped it down cleaned it and eventually mopped the floor.
Finally made a brew and with a couple if shortcake biscuits head off to bed at 4am.
Don't feel tired.
Talk about extreme behaviours compared to last week. I have a couple more kitchen appliances left to clean tomorrow and I guess, assuming I'm up for it, will make a start on the bathrooms.
for me I feel so satisfied having done all this today, proud even. I guess image looking for a complement from my Wife in the morning.
i have not been too emotional today but I do recognise that I am particularly sensitive. My eldest crashed his car a couple of weeks ago, car a write off, him and his mate were lucky to walkaway. 3 Fence posted pierced the car. I still keep hearing his upset voice when he rang me. Now look what I have done 😢😢.
apologies for the novel
I know this is not normal and assume I will come down at some point. I hope it is a gentle come down.
Like you I feel bad when I treat those closet to me, those who have had to put up with me for the last 18 months or so with aggressive responses to simple questions. They don't deserve that 😢 - wave of emotion again.
Thanks for sharing and I hope in amongst the waffle you see that you are not alone and we're sharing some sh*tty times. It will get better, it will get better IT WILL GET BETTER😭
david55690 getingbetterguy
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we share lots
betsy0603 getingbetterguy
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betsy0603
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When I find myself in that place, it has helped me pull out of it by thinking about it this way.
david55690 betsy0603
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We usually refer to it as the black dog. Have you seen the you tube guidance 'I had a black dog his name was depression'. I found it helped me to understand and simplify the condition.
betsy0603 david55690
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david55690 betsy0603
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