coming off venlafaxine?

The problem with my meds is that they are a tablet and not a capsule. I had to take a quarter of a tablet last night because I thought aim was going to die literally. I think the best way forward for me is when Imget to a stage that I can't cope with feeling awful, I will take a nibble of a tab to relieve the symptoms. I can cope with anything but the dizziness and anger........

Hi all

Just wanted to let you know I am on day 3 of opening the 37.5xr capsule and taking 1/2 ( counting out 60 little balls) and I am feeling good. I was slightly dizzy this morning when I got up but once I was moving I was fine. For me this is defiantly the way to go. With each taper I have found if I can get past day 3 it is all uphill fm there. I am also taking oil of primrose and omega 3's and I am sure they are also helping.

Hey Talulabelle, I'm a long time user myself and I am currently w/drawing from a 300mg daily dose. I'm going very slowly. Two week increments. I'm down to 112.5mg so far and I have another decrease coming on Wednesday. Initially, I decreased in 75mg increments; now I'm dropping 32.5mg at a time. I expect to cut that in half at the end.

The first thing I'll tell you is that all of my doctors insisted on increasing my anti-anxiety medication, although I want to w/draw from that next. I reluctantly agreed but I'm glad it did. I'm more comfortable.

Having some manageable symptoms. Achiness. Itchiness. Headaches -- but not the crushers yet. Smoking a little pot helps with those, as do lots of naps. I expect to be clear of it by the end of April. But I do expect some serious backlash when my brain realizes there isn't going to be anymore. I take extended release pills so that's given me some help in w/drawing but it means there's going to be a trickle in my brain for a while even after I stop.

You didn't say how much you've been taking nor how quickly you are decreasing your dose. Getting a full raft of symptoms quickly would seem to me to indicate that you're going pretty fast. Maybe consider slowing down. Cutting smaller increments.

Years ago I cut a decent dosage of Zoloft cold and had a horrible time. Doing it that way, I can tell you that it took me a full four months to be well again. And, of course, I was horribly depressed the whole time. I wouldn't start anything new until I finished all the symptoms from w/drawal. Acupuncture was helpful.

However you chose to do this, you can withdraw from this medication. The symptoms are painful but also alarming in their ferocity; once you realize they are just symptoms, it takes some of the scariness away, I think.

I'm helped by the fact that this was my decision. I control of my mental health. It makes me less fearful to remember that. You can do this. Stay hydrated. Watch your electrolytes. I listened to books on tape because I was too dizzy to read or watch television. They distracted me a little. Exercise some if you can. (I took my dog for little walks w/my eyes closed most of the time. She knew the way and I had such vertigo. lol) The exercise helps to turn your endorphins back on.

You can do this. There are better days ahead.

To pamkirbs ...are you on an anti-anxiety med? If you aren't, consider asking for one for w/drawal purposes. If you are, ask them to increase you. Also, consider finding a compounding pharmacy. It may make you capsules in whatever dose your doctor orders. The dizziness really sucks. The anger? Be gentle w/yourself. Long hot baths (or showers) Soothing music. The scent of lavender. Maybe a massage. A calming atmosphere is reassuring and that's helpful. Just remember that you are in control. You can take yourself off of this drug. You don't have to go cold. It's going to hurt but it won't kill you. Godspeed

My compounding pharmacy would not compound a lower strength capsule. Try chamomile tea and oil of primrose and omega 3s it does seem to help.

Hi Judy, Glad you have something that brings relief. Good Luck to you.

I am currently coming off Venlafaxine. Tapered off from 75 mg > 37.5mg > 18mg and now 0mg. 4 days later and I'm still experiencing some pretty serious withdrawl symptoms. Nervousness, nausea, hot flashes, sweating, headaches, and I can't leave out my favorite...Brain Tasers! These are a real treat...any change in thought pattern can trigger these "zaps" and usually they come in groups of 5. I am going to try taking Benadryl after reading a few discussions that say it really helps. Good luck and know that you are not alone.

Chad

How fast did you taper off Chad?

Hi just joined this forum as I have been on Effexor 150 mg XR for 15 years. I have tried loads of times to wean off this medication and have failed so many times. Tomorrow I have a Drs appointment and due to notworking at the min, I think this is the perfect time I have ever had to attempt again to wean off this medication I must admit I am already bricking it as I am on modified release tablets my body gets short bursts of the medication throughout the day. The next tablets down don't come in modified release so I basically get one boost not long after I take the tablet. I know I am going to look like & feel like a junkie without their fix, but for me this is a start of a long slow road.

I feel like I've just found this 'secret' club. I'm on 150mg of Effexor and it's kids kept me feeling ok for the last 3 years. I had an unintentional break for 3 day and OMG what a brain fry. So, now I'm thinking I should get off this crazy drug. Do I just cut back slowly? I have started on the fish oil because someone said that talk an edge off. The last post was from claire1979 so I'm hoping this chat is still going.

Ah, I'm not sure how to edit posts but the word 'kids' in my previous post is supposed to read 'kinda'

Guys, its over 2 weeks since coming off this drug over a long period of reduction. I had 3 sips of red wine the other evening and the effect was awful....I can not begin to tell you how angry it made me. I had to have an 1/8th of a tablet today because I was that dizzy and went to sleep for an hour. It has done me the world of good. Another thing is my appetite is huge. I have put on 7lbs in 2 weeks!!!!! I dont want yo put any other mind altering drug into my body every again. I take omega 3 capsules, 5HTP tab every day to help me overcome this nightmare. Venlafaxine has been by far the worst mind altering and addictive tablet I have ever been on in my entire life. Coming off this drug is almost costing me everything I have avhieved in my life. My goodness....it has to get better

Pamkirbs, it will get better. But your brain has been soaking in this stuff for however long you've been on it. It takes a while for your brain to get the hint that it has to make it's own dopamine again. Are you exercising? This turns on the dopamine facets. It helps. Just take a walk around the block and allow yourself to be distracted. It takes a long time to get your equilibrium back to level. But the dizziness will fade and end.

bionicvincent, ask yourself some questions. Is the drug working for you? Are you having any side effects? It's a given that coming off venlafaxine is tough. A brain fry, as you said. And skipping a couple of doses will bring on w/drawal. But if it's working, why cut it out now?

Do Not Take Abilify (arriprozole) as a booster. It works but has very nasty, permanent side effects.

If you do decide to clean out your brain, go very, very slowly. Decrease by small increments and then rest there for a couple of weeks at least before decreasing again. Fish oil and vitamin E help. Get extra sleep. Stay hydrated -- especially if you begin vomiting. Be kind to yourself as your brain itself is going through trauma. Good luck.

I'm a long-time user of Effexor too. 10 years or so. I came off 2 1/2 months ago and still having horrible

withdrawals. Am clearer in my head now but so far I have had weepiness. Nervousness, anxiety attacks,itchiness, terrible headaches, palpitations, constant fatigue, stomach pains, indescribable stuff going on in my stomach/chest area - I call,them "death waves" (sorry about the analogy) but it is kind of a whooshy feeling linked to nausea - has anyone else had that?, chest pains. diarrhea, tingling, brain shivers and today Inwoke up with dreadful fear, pains and nausea.

I am terrified I will never recover although logically I know I will. I have been through benzodiazapine withdrawal (4 weeks use 14 months withdrawals) and Mirtazapine withdrawal in the past but after this I will never take another psychotropic drug in my life. I don't even have an anxiety or depression disorder

I am 63 years old and am sick of this. I am so miserable as I thought I would be over this now as many are. It's so hard to put in a painted smile every day as I go about to my life as I am sure that most of you can relate to. Today is particularly hard but am trying to be strong Sorry for the moan and keep up the good work everyone!