coming off venlafaxine?
Posted , 115 users are following.
I have been taking venlafaxine for over 7 years and can admit that it saved my life a few times in the early stages. I have tried to come off them numerous times,during the past 3 years but have failed every time. The gp honestly dosent know how to help, cut down slowly, miss every other dose...I've tried everything. The side effects of withdrawal are horrendous...shaking, sweating, panic attacks, sickness, violent outbursts, suicidal thoughts. Ive read all the horror stories and truly feel sorry for anyone who has ever taken ven. I'm desperate to quit them but it seems impossible. Any advice would be much appreciated!
13 likes, 362 replies
tanya20181 talulabelle1982
Posted
Hi. Currently in tears tapering off this awful drug. I'm all out of pills and feel like death. Really suffering. Does anyone have any remedies that help? Feel like punching someone. My a**hole landlord works at the shop below me. He needs to stay clear. I am very nauseaus and my head is zapping like mad. Sorry you are all suffering. This stuff needs a Government Health Warning...
karen30791 tanya20181
Posted
I've been on these 3 a day 75mg for 2 years I've got myself off them in 2 months no withdrawal symptoms and feel fantastic I took them they worked at first but then big black hole appeared for 4 months still taking Venaflaxine then wearned myself off them as felt good again don't take any anti depressants now and I've suffered for 10 years with depression ,different drugs and I feel myself again ,anti depressant free. Karen.
nana401 karen30791
Posted
How did you taper with no withdrawal symptoms please help. We're you on xr ot tabs?
danielle233116 talulabelle1982
Posted
Hi I know it's been a while since you wrote this however just to let you know I have been on 225mg since the birth of my 3rd child in 2012. In Jan this year I found out I was 3 months pregnant. My consultant agreed it waseems best for me to continue with my tablets and in July gave birth to a healthy baby girl xx
pooja7 danielle233116
Posted
danielle233116 pooja7
Posted
Thank you, I worried constantly and did say I was happy to reduce my dosage however they didn't seem keen on that idea. My worry now is that as I am breastfeeding she is still getting this in her x
neelam55931 danielle233116
Posted
Hi Hun
Congrats on your baby girl!
I am 13 weeks pregnant and free of venlafaxine for 2 weeks!
Took 3 months of hard work and hurrendous side effects
I read up on breast feeding and my gp along with neo Nate consultant confirmed that the baby will receive ven via breastmilk
As I know how awful those side effects were that's made quit Ven
Hopefully your little one won't be effected I'm sure ur gp would advise otherwise if they were concerned xxx
muskrat talulabelle1982
Posted
im in australia and have just googled how to come off this drug. been on for 3 years. was prescribed 150mg but only ever took 75mg. now I'm on half that dose. no problems so far. however when i don't take just one tablet, i have HORRENDOUS NIGHTMARES! having seen all these posts i'm wondering whether i just stick to this 37.5mg dose
teresa48598 talulabelle1982
Posted
I've been taking venlafaxine 75mg er for about 5 years. I don't think it's helping me anymore. I would like to wean myself off of it but don't know how. I skipped one day a while ago and felt awful till the next day when I took another pill. I really need to stop this pill. I'm 83 years old .. Please help. Thank you
teresa48598 talulabelle1982
Posted
julia23547 talulabelle1982
Posted
Hi Talulabelle1982. I know this is an old post but I'm really struggling with coming off Ven. I am taking a quarter of a 75mg tab!! I thought this would be a tiny enough amount to not notice the withdrawal!! How wrong. I'm in agony, the pain in my head won't go,away, and I just keep crying and sweating...it's horrible. I know there is no going back and I have to get off this disgusting drug. I was not told of these side effects when I began taking 300mgs. This is my 3rd attempt to get off. Did you do it?? Are you free of this drug. Please give me something to look forward to.
norton77 talulabelle1982
Posted
I'm on Venlafaxine, 75mg, missing just 1 dose make me feel like hell, flu like, brain zaps, nausea, cotton mouth, yet some how drooled lol, any way, I feel kinda of hopeless about coming off, I'm not the complete package as in recovered but I'm sure that the last part of the journey must be made medication free if possible, and knowing how ill this makes me with just one missed dose, has convinced me that I, no one should be on it
the tabs I'm on are the chalky kind, are they the slow release? if missing one dose is enough to bring on withdrawel how slowly am I going to have to go? bearing in mind, I'm a single parent, with little to no support, I couldn't live with myself if I wasn't myself and harmed my LO? I'm also on benefits, so coming off the meds could effect our income, I don't know, I'm not too bad in general, but I feel i should be off these even if it means being on something else, should i get a pill cutter and plan a long term slow lowering of the dose?
laura07832 talulabelle1982
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tanya20181 laura07832
Posted
I tried coming off for the first time late last year and suffered the same symptoms. I don't think I was/were ready in hindsight. I'm no expert but I think when I try again I may take a week off. I found the drop from 37.5 to zero the hardest. Even when halving the tablet. I'm thinking we need a lot more understanding of this med problem as well as mental illness vs physical. Not articulating well tonight sorry x
julia23547 talulabelle1982
Posted
I have just dropped from 18.75 every other day and the other day I'm taking half of that, so..I think that equates to 9.25. I'm terrified!! But I will keep you all posted, those that are struggling with this awful drug. I can't advise you talulabelle as I'm trying to get off myself. I, too am desperate to quit these. I don't know what's worse, depression or the side effects...the main thing I can say is look after yourself and keep reducing as much as you can. Thinking of you.