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Advice please - coming off 37.5mg Venlafaxine / Effexor

Posted , 37 users are following.

daniobentley
daniobentley

Hi all, 

I have been on Venlafaxine for about 9 years for anxiety and panic disorder. I was only ever on 75mg but it was the only thing that help stabalise my mental health. When I was pregnant 6 years ago I tapered to 37.5mg p/day which was horrible and when i was pregant again 4 years ago, I didn't change it. 

I have been feeling for the last couple of years much less anxious and more able to cope with things, therefore I've been wanting to come off these for a while. I noticed that if I missed a dose I would really suffer for it the next day, causing panic if I had run out or something. Anyway, things in my life are positive and I feel now is a good time to try and get off completely. 

Thing is, I have been halving my 37.5mg pills for a few weeks and that's been good, but I can't do less than that without horrendous side effects. I don't want to go back to the anxiety I experienced in the first place but I don't want to stay on hese forever either. 

I have tried a half pill one day and a quater pill the next for a week and just don't feel myself (dizzy, foggy brain, anxious, angry easily, nauseous etc.). I don't get capsules so can;t take"beads" out so I have to snap the pills in estimated halves/quarters. I felt so bad this morning I took the other quarter from last night. 

Docs keep saying "you're on such a low dose, just take one every other day and you'll be fine" but it's really hard even on such a low dose. 

Any advice greatly appreciated - I am weary of "bridging witg prozac" because I don't want to swap one drug to another. I am happy to try vegetarian diet, or detailed weaning plans, etc. 

Thanks in advance

1 like, 84 replies

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  • Guest
    Guest daniobentley

    Posted

    i recommend you read a post from shrock whos had a successful wean which im following. im in the same situation and in the middle of elimination stage ie, one day off a week, then 2 days off a week etc. . theres also a recommendation to start taking complex b vitamin, vitamin d and lots of omega 3. it really helped me a lot during my second try. i still have weeks to go so ill post about my experience.

  • Guest
    Guest daniobentley

    Posted

    i recommend you read a post from shrock whos had a successful wean which im following. im in the same situation and in the middle of elimination stage ie, one day off a week, then 2 days off a week etc. . theres also a recommendation to start taking complex b vitamin, vitamin d and lots of omega 3. it really helped me a lot during my second try. i still have weeks to go so ill post about my experience.

  • Guest
    Guest daniobentley

    Posted

    this site is so giving me hope and easing my fears. im 2 weeks in the drop a pill day so i have more weeks to go. i need to have a vision of me when im finally done with this drug and i got it now. ive been on it for 13 years and my doc told me she doesnt think ill get off.....she dont know me lol.

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