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back on Venlafaxine after horrendous "Glich"

Posted , 4 users are following.

kam321
kam321

May I discussed with my doctor whether I should reduce venlafaxine. Went from 225 to 150. Had headaches a few days but OK. June down to 75. This is brilliant. July 37.5. Wow no withdrawal. Even binge eating getting under control!

August down to 37.5 every other day. Now I don't feel so good. OK doctor puts me back on 37.5. No good. I don't feel I am coping. September I go up to 75. October up to 150. Two weeks ago I have a major episode of suicidal thoughts. Simple remark puts me into "must die" mode.

Go to hospital, get loads of help and here I am back on 225mg.

Have I failed? I have withdrawn from everyone except my 3 beloved nieces. All under 11. My only reason to live. Have great hubby but I know he cannot help so I don't burden him. I see he feels for me but wisely let's me handle things my own way.

Anybody had similar experiences?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • lucy159
    lucy159 kam321

    Posted

    Hello...i've come off venlafaxine before and had to go back on it as i felt so dreadful (suicidal, unable to get out of bed for months). It's not the end of the world and you definitely haven't failed - but that is something that's very hard to believe when you're at your lowest. The only advice i can give is to hold on until your mood begins to pick up. Remember that the improved mood will take a few weeks to kick in. I honestly believe that venlafaxine saved my life. It is a truely awful drug to come off...as everyone says, so please don't feel that you've failed, and please let those around you who want to support you support you. One of the things about depression (as i'm sure you know when you're well but which i personally tend to forget when i'm lost in a very bad episode) is that it makes you feel like a failure and a burden...which those who love you don't think, they just want to help you get well...so please let them in...closing youself off completely will not help your symptoms, the company of close family or a close friend will. Treat yourself as you would treat someone you loved and cared about...take care of yourself. Good luck.
    • kam321
      kam321 lucy159

      Posted

      You definitely understand! That is great. It is so rare to find someone who "gets it". In a way that is good because I would not wish this on anyone, but it is also good to know you are not alone. I would love to stay in touch to see how things progress with you. What you said about allowing ones to care is good. I don't see how they could but I know that is the illness talking
    • lucy159
      lucy159 kam321

      Posted

      That's definitely the illness talking smile I know, it's such a hard drug to come off but such a life saver....yes, i'll keep in touch re how i'm doing and you must do the same...i'm sure you'll start picking up soon smile
  • anne240
    anne240 kam321

    Posted

    I withdrew from 150mg over 10 months with no withdrawal symptoms.  Can you get pills where you live?  Here capsules to 37.5mg,but then I went onto pills which come in lower doses.  I cut them into smaller and smaller amounts using a pill cutter. That way gradully reduced and it worked.  No you have not failed. It is very difficult.  Stay on if it makes you feel better.
    • kam321
      kam321 anne240

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to reply.

      May I ask have you experienced " triggers" that might have previously brought on a relapse but now you deal with?

  • anne240
    anne240 kam321

    Posted

    I did stop Effexor cold turkey once and the depression came back.  this time because I withdrew so slowly I had no withdrawal symptoms.  It is over a year now since I withdrew.  I have some anxiety and at time get stressed and "down" but don't honestly think the depression has returned.  When we withdraw too fast then we get withdrawal symptoms, and that is probably what you were experiencing. 

     

    • lucy159
      lucy159 anne240

      Posted

      Hi Anne,

      I was wondering what your lifestyle is like? Do you have a stressful job? Supportive family etc? I'm trying to make sure I make my life as manageable as possible and just wondered if you had any tips about this...so that when I am off the venlafaxine I can minimise triggers.

      smile 

  • pixie22
    pixie22 kam321

    Posted

    I can agree with everything that lucy159 writes. I too understand how depression makes you feel a failure. But you are brave - you reduced the venlafaxine when some people are too afraid to do that. I've been on 225mg a day for about 8 years and only recently have I tried reducing it very slowly, missing off the occasional 75mg tablet. I hope you soon feel a lift in your mood and can enjoy your life again. I understand -I've been through depression several times and I know how hellish it is. So be kind to yourself - you will get through.
    • anne240
      anne240 pixie22

      Posted

      Pixie I too have had depression for many years.  Usually when I thought I could do without medication, and stopped, the depression returned.  It took me 10 months last year to withdraw and so far depression has not returned, and I did not get any withdrawal symptoms. 

      So glad we are all here to support each other.

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