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Bad anxiety symptoms again

Posted , 5 users are following.

valerie48279
valerie48279

Ii have been taking venlafaxine for a number of years for anxiety. I decided to drop the dose as was feeling ok. Hadn't read up about it at the time! This coinsided with withdrawal from steroids for immflammatory  bowel. Result terrible anxiety and depression. Waking up with an overwhelming panic and inability to function. Result I have gone back to the original dose as I wasn't prepared for this overwhelming reaction and nobody had warned me. Have been on the 75mg dose for a week now and things still bad. Don't know if withdrawal from steroids at same time has made it worse. Always lower dose of venlafaxine tablet form seemed to be passing in my stools. Wonder if I was even getting the reduced dose. Anyone else experienced this.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • anne240
    anne240 valerie48279

    Posted

    It took me months to withdraw from Venlafaxine.  It is a drug that gives awful withdrawal symptoms if you do not take it slowly.  I did stop cold turkey once before, but this time as I did it so slowly I had no withdrawal symptoms at all.  I am so sorry you are feeling so bad.  You do have a lot to contend with.  Possibly best to withdraw from one drug at a time.  

    I went from the 75mg capsules of Effexor to the generic Venlafaxine.  That way I could cut up the pills.  By doing this, and cutting a little at a time, over months I was able to reduce my dosage.  If you have stopped the steroids now, perhaps you would like to stay on the 75mg dose for a while longer, and then see if you can do what I did.  If you stop the 75mg dose suddenly, you will get withdrawals.  They could last quite a time.  

    I do hope you feel better soon.  Keep us updated.

  • pixie22
    pixie22 valerie48279

    Posted

    If you are taking prolonged release venlafaxine tablets (mine are branded Venlalic XL) then what comes out at the other end is just the skeleton dosing ball from which all the active drug has been absorbed as it passed through the body. The pharmacist explained it to me.

  • simon3164
    simon3164 valerie48279

    Posted

    Hi Valerie, I tried cold turkey with bad results so I went to my doctor and started a reducing program I used to be on 225mg and have now reached 75mg.  At this stage I began to feel very emotionaly raw and gradual depression started to grow, I am probable one of those lucky ones that I have had no brain zaps, but I have also come to realise that I do need my depression treating, but not with venlafaxine. maybe you should consider that too, I have started on Citalopram 20mg which is starting to help the depression with smal dose diazepam if needed, it is certainly helping here maybe you should talk to you doctor and try something similar.  As for steroids they are known to have direct effect on emotions so I do think you have a point there.  Please keep us informed as to how you are doing.  All my best wishes.
    • anne240
      anne240 simon3164

      Posted

      Hello simon, I too stopped the Venlafaxine slowly.  A year since I stopped, but anxiety has returned.  I am glad the Citalopram is helping.  I was put on Prozac once and it made me very ill.  I am scared to go onto another anti depressant, and am trying to manage without medication, but not sure I can cope with the anxiety.
    • valerie48279
      valerie48279 anne240

      Posted

      Anne my anxiety is terrible at the mo so have gone back up to my original dose. Hoping it will kick in and help me get back to where I was. Can't remember how long it takes to help? Any ideas?
    • simon3164
      simon3164 anne240

      Posted

      Hi again Valerie, I can understand your reluctance to try others, it really is a hit and miss game.  By what you are saying about not being able to cope with anxiety etc maybe it is better to try to find something that helps, like I said I understand why you do not, but from what you are saying is you are anxious about getting anxious and this gives me cause for concern for you as this sounds to be compounding on you.  I like yourself do not want to be on medication at all and btw prozac is known for extreme effects as you have described.  I suppose really you need to decide for yourself on this issue, but as a recommendation I say treat the anxiety, once you find the right treatment I am sure you will breathe a big sigh of relief.  For myself I have come to accept that medication for the rest of my life may be the only way, and believe me that is not really what I want.  Please keep in touch and let us know how things are going.  Prayers and best wishes to you.
    • anne240
      anne240 valerie48279

      Posted

      Hello dear Valerie.  I wish I knew how we could cope with this anxiety that consumes us.  I find I am better if I can go out and take my mind off myself.  I hate being alone as I just go round and round in circles in my head worrying about silly little things.  I am still adamant that I do not want to go back onto medication.  I am trying real hard to manage.  
    • anne240
      anne240 simon3164

      Posted

      Thank you Simon for your kind reply.  I will continue as I am for the moment, without medication.  I know if I really need to I will go back to doctor and say I can't cope.  It was the depression that was worse before, but that not too bad, and it is the anxiety that has come back since stopping anti depressant.
  • leanne61579
    leanne61579 valerie48279

    Posted

    I went off Steroids as of last injectiion was March and then I started weaning off Venlafaxine. It is a very hard thing to do and I went from 150 to 75 for 2 weeks and then 2 weeks every other day and now trying to go without and feeling sick.  It s a hard drug to come off of.

    Leanne

    • anne240
      anne240 leanne61579

      Posted

      Leanne it took me 10 months to withdraw from Venlafaxine, but doing it really slowly I avoided any withdrawal symptoms.  Yes it can be really hard, but SLOWLY is the best way.  Hope you are doing OK.  
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