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Anyone have some advice? No Venlafaxine for 6 days but it is UGLY ...

Posted , 6 users are following.

catblackalex
catblackalex

so, I'm just wondering, I've read a lot of posts about withdrawls, and I've got all the symptoms and feeling like death warmed up at the moment. Have been weaning off for three months now, and been on 37.5mg for a month. My philosophy had been that, once my body had levelled out on that particular dosage, I'd cut to the next ... so, here I am on nothing since last Wednesday (Tuesday today here in NZ) and suffering like crazy, but thinking one of two things!!. I either ride the wave, and surely, surely I'll feel better soon??? Right??? OR, to go back on the 37.5mg for longer!! But, if I do that, won't I just be delaying the inevitable?? I  mean from what I've read, the side effects are inevitable no matter what I do ... I'm self medicating with pain killers, antihisthamene, and Coconut oil. Can't take Omega 3 as that by itself used to give me brain zaps so not sure what my options are here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)

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  • vanessa19585
    vanessa19585 catblackalex

    Posted

    Good Morning from Lincolnshire, England. Sorry you are having a bad time, in my opinion, just ride it out. It does get better. Im around 3 months free here. It was very unpleasant for me but so glad i did it. IT WILL GET EASIER!!. Around the 6 week mark, the brain zaps and nausea stopped for me. I have lost nearly a stone aswell so getting back on track. just take it easy and take every day at a time. xx
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex vanessa19585

      Posted

      Hi Vanessa in Lincolnshire England, i was born in Gloucestershire so how lovely that you have replied to me :D.

      Thanks so much for that advice, and I did think the best thing was to 'ride it out' and get this horrid, horrid drug out of my system, and the body working normally again. Funny you should mention losing weight, I notice my entire relationship with food, has altered since cutting down to the lowest dose. It had got quite unhealthy, and I had got very big.

      Anyway, you're my inspiration to keep on this track ... one day at a time xo

  • vanessa19585
    vanessa19585 catblackalex

    Posted

    Yes, I put 2 stone on hun whilst been on them. I wouldn't say I'm eating any less, it has just naturally come off. I perhaps have a bit more energy and am getting some zing back lol. Please just take it steady and remember the side effects arnt forever. I was a bit taken back that a main doctor brushed it all off as a bug yet another one said they would never put a patient on venlafaxine.I think even a simple small drop in the tablets brings on side effects , You are doing the right thing, take it easy and go for it. I would never use these again xx
  • vanessa19585
    vanessa19585 catblackalex

    Posted

    And also, i suffered with really bad sweating on them to the point Ive had boils and sores under boobs and down below. The sweating has subsided with just the occasional sweat now. I hope this helps and I'm sure there will be more people coming along to offer you support xx
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex vanessa19585

      Posted

      I've had that horrible sweating, jock itch under my boobs, an the boils. I've also had swollen fingers and knarled joints since being on them, with an excess in uric acid that no manner of diet and healthy living could shift. Only thing was, it - Venlafaxine - was good for IBS and my prolapsed discs.

      However, I would rather be off them and since cutting down, I've dropped half a dress size and half a bra size without doing much at all. On the medication, I found it hard to function and keep the house clean, but am finding my way back to that.

      Will never use this medication again, would rather battle through the worst depression than ever feel like this again, Drugs like this should be against the law!!

    • leanne61579
      leanne61579 catblackalex

      Posted

      Hi,

      You have lost some weight and that is what I am looking so forward to.  Its like the weight comes overnight and just keeps coming.  Clothes I wore 2 months ago dont fit at all and when I wash them, they are so tight and I know they didn't shrink.  Like I've said in the past, I eat right and exercise and its all just so sad when it keeps on  coming to upset you so much. You gave me some hope and something to look forward to hopefully.

    • catblackalex
      catblackalex leanne61579

      Posted

      Ditto, no matter what I ate, or didn't eat, the weight just seemed to pile on. It was like being blown up from the inside out. I eat healthy too, and excercise, but each month, my clothes were tighter and I just didn't understand how that could be. My daughter gets married in 15 months and I am to walk her down the Isle. The thought of that was terrifying and I had images of waddling, rather than walking with any elegance.

      If I can regain my figure, and my overall looks, then this withdrawl will be worth it. Am feeling a teensy weensy bit better and am going to head out to the shop for supplies.

      Just want to say, that I feel so much better after talking to you all!!

      ALL YOU GIRLS ROCK cheesygrin

    • Phoenixstar
      Phoenixstar catblackalex

      Posted

      It's such a comfort to know that others are In The same boat (not that I'd ever wish for anyone to experience this) but to know it's not just me! I've wondered over this time if it's all in my head, if I'm going mad or have become a hypochondriac!!

      You've all been a big help, thank you.

      Funny enough, I'm seeing my psychiatrist tho afternoon so I shall be giving him a little piece of my mind 😊

    • catblackalex
      catblackalex Phoenixstar

      Posted

      You've all been a big help to me as well, so a big thank you from me.

      It is good to know others are suffering LOL ... wait ... not suffering, but having a similar horrid experience with this drug. Certainly not in your head at all Phoenixstar!!

      Be good to know what your psychiatrist says about this drug. I've a MA in psychology and did some work around SSRIs - though this is an SSNRI - but I never, ever read anything about side effects or withdrawls ... I'm begining to think it's all a big secret ?! cry

  • gillybean36
    gillybean36 catblackalex

    Posted

    We stopped on the same day so we are at the same stage, I say just ride it out!!! I think staying on it for a bit longer is just delaying the inevitable! The symptoms will still be the same! Just keep focusing on how much better u will feel once it's out of ur system, that's whats keeping me going, take care
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      We're in the same waka (Maori canoe) then, paddling in the same direction - that's a comfort to me. I seem to feel better in the evenings at least, around bed time, worst luck. I do agree that staying on them is just delaying the inevitable. I gave up smoking years ago, and thought the same about nicotine patches and gum. I'm excited about all the stuff I'll have the motivation to do, once I've detoxed ... that kind of makes me happy :-)
    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 catblackalex

      Posted

      That's what is keeping me going, thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel lol, losing weight and generally feeling better, I think ven just kinda numbs u but u don't really realise it until ur coming off them! Today is the first day I have actually managed to do some cleaning since I stopped so I'm hoping that's a good sign!! I still feel a bit ill but it takes my mind off it if I'm doing something!
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      I know exactly what you mean, I've gone five years without crying, which might sound good, but if I unpack that, it means I've gone all that time without feeling much at all. When I think back to how I had changed, I fully relate to people who just can't get out of bed in the morning, or hold down a job, or anything. I'd always been a motivated person with a clean house but I turned into a recluse in a very messy house. Thankfully I live alone, so have no one to please, but that can be a bad thing too. I think that if I didn't have pets, I'd have stayed in bed for weeks ... not because I wanted to, but because I just couldn't function! Ugly place to be.
  • gillybean36
    gillybean36 catblackalex

    Posted

    And also I put on 2 stone too so thinking about fitting back into my clothes is keeping me going too, the sweats are bad at the moment but I know it will get better in time 
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      I agree with you on that, another thing to get excited about ... I keep alternating between sweats and chills. Have been reading up on the physiological origins of 'brain zaps', which is the synapses or nerves for serotonin and norepinehrine in the brain, going absolutely mad because of the lack of neurotransmitter. Explains why Omega 3 helps so much.
    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 catblackalex

      Posted

      Oh the sweats and the chills I'm getting those!! I think the ven dulls ur senses aswell, my sense of smell is really good all of a sudden!! Not good when I opened the fridge and nearly puked though coz hubby had garlic sausage in it lol
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      The effects on the body are pretty severe, wide spread and not to mention random. It does dull your senses, feelings, libido ... hell, I think it dulled my whole life rolleyes
    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 catblackalex

      Posted

      Yep that sounds about right!! Well I'll be interested to hear how ur getting on day by day, so keep in touch and we can compare notes lol
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      Sounds like a grand plan gillybean, you have a wonderful day but I am off to bed now and hopefully some marginally restful sleep biggrin
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      Hi gillybean, how are you feeling? It is day 8 for me, and I am hesitant to say but ... I might be over the worst of it.

      I have some brain zaps and still feel a little nausea, but I don't feel like I'm dying anymore .... what a relief ...

      How's your day 8 shaping up? Though it's probably still day 7 if you're on the other side of the globe confused

    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 catblackalex

      Posted

      Hey, yeah still day 7 here lol, I'm actually feeling ok today too!! I've still got brain zaps and an upset stomach but I've managed to clean my house so feeling good about that!! My head feels clearer too like ive come out of the fog!! I'm so happy to hear ur doing better too!!
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      Happy to hear that gillybean, sounds like the symptoms are still there, but certainly losing their intesity .. hope we both continue to improve, I reckon we will !!
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex gillybean36

      Posted

      Hi gillybean,

      I'm feeling okay thanks, today was a little rough with nausea and brain zaps, but they are getting less and less. Overall, it feels like a lingering hangover ugh. Not so many night sweats here either, though I'm sitting here at 2am unable to sleep rolleyes

    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 catblackalex

      Posted

      At first I slept alot then I couldn't sleep for 3 nights! Slept ok last night, and as I said, no night sweats, still got the brain zaps and nausea too, bit emotional today for no apparent reason, but after all that..... Still happy to be off the venlafaxine lol 😃
    • leanne61579
      leanne61579 gillybean36

      Posted

      I think this not being able to sleep and the other not so nice things all go with coming off these drugs.  I still have a couple pills left for the every other day at 37 mg and I am now sleeping better than I have in years.  Its taken me a couple of months to wean off and hopefully when the pills are gone that will be it this time and I dont have to go back after any more.
    • gillybean36
      gillybean36 leanne61579

      Posted

      Hey Leanne, hopefully none of us have to go back!!! I for one will never take this again, I've been on others and citalopram worked the best for me and I had no withdrawal whatsoever, so even if I end up back on some sort of pills, it won't be venlafaxine!!
    • leanne61579
      leanne61579 gillybean36

      Posted

      If anyof us had known it would be so hard on us going off this drug we might of thought twice about it but then we all needed help in some way. Wishing all of us the best.
    • catblackalex
      catblackalex leanne61579

      Posted

      I'd rather pull my teeth out than go back, I'm just about coming right - well, when I say right, I mean actually getting out of bed and functioning. I've had insomnia for many years, which after years of having to sleep 9-10 hours a night, is not too bad. I'm on day 11 with no medication at all, and the brain zaps are becoming less frequent and less severe. The nausea is still there a little, but I'm with Leanne and gillybean - I will never go back to medication and will deal with my depression in other ways!! This forum is and has helped so much ... go well girls, talk to you all again shortly xxoo
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