coming off venlafaxine?

Anybody have achey muscles with withdrawls? Just got off the couch and had a shower dna got dressed and feel like I ran a marathon. Back is all achey.

Hi Judy1959, two years ago I was on 2 x 75mg a day, that went down to one a day, then I went down to 1 every other day, then I went cold turkey.

I agree days 3-4 are worst, I am still just about coping, day 8 of no tablets!

I did have the aches and pains, still do, today I have a runny nose and flu symptoms but have had worse!

Keep going, cant believe how "clear" my thoughts are!

This forum is wonderful. It is great to hear from those going through the same things! Thank you.

No achey muscles for me, all the other withdrawal symptoms & sensations have been/are more than enough to cope with.

I can find no words to accurately describe how physically horrendous this withdrawal is & with the benefit of the experience thus far, I would say if you can afford it & are in a position to, then go into re-hab or some private de-tox health clinic....it really is awful.

I've had a cancer in the past & didn't feel this ill.

On a positive note, I have felt somewhat better today (day 9) & like teri1968 I also feel 'clearer' & less foggy/fuzzy.

Slowly building up walking again which, once I've dragged myself up & got dressed, is very refreshing.

Hi to vicki08446 - I agree, brain zaps = unbearable!

roxxi13 - Your story is very inspiring for me - my weight has increased whilst on Venlafaxine & has become more & more difficult to get off! I know the weight gain could be for many reasons & not necessarily because of this drug but it helps to know I may be able to lose some of it. I'm with you on the puppy as I've got 2 dogs which are the best company etc.

Just out of curiosity (& without prying too much) has your mental health been ok since coming off Venlafaxine? My concern is that I will get ill again & deteriorate into depression again once I'm without them.

I'm coming off the ven because my depression is back after on 6 months at the higher dose. So I reqlly don't have a choice. The dr. Put me on welbutrin I week before starting the reduction, it has taken care of the depression and gave me zero side effects. I am trying to come to terms with the fact I must have some brain damage that is causing the depression. It is hard.

I am on day one of taking Venlufaxine 75mg. It's very scary reading the comments about coming off them andthe side effects. I definitely need help but, have previously taken Prozac and wonder whether I should go back to them.

It depends if the Prozac will still work. Our bodies adapt eventually and then we have to switch meds. The ven worked for me for 13 years but if I had known about these stupid side effects I would have asked for something like Prozac first. I've been doing some research and apparently the meds that have a shorter half life have the bigger side effects. Ven is one of those.

I was put on ven to help me get off of clonazepam. I was put on 112.5 ven and have been weaning off of the clonazepam. I only took 37.5 this AM and .25 Clonazepam, So far no bad side effects. But I have to function. So this will be a slow road for me. I think I will continue with this dose for a week and then try to lower again next week. I did find that exercise helped me feel a little better.

No tablets still since last Tuesday, (had half dose), I cant believe how well I feel and how my head feels so clear and I feel so focussed.

I am going back to my diet now, and exercising regularly as well, not sure if this is helping.

I am so glad I went cold turkey, was definitely the right thing for me.

Keep positive and motivated everyone

Side note stay away from coffee!!! Just since my last post I can now feel the effects of the coffee, bouncing off the wall, but getting some stuff done!!!

Yes ditto the coffee. On the plus side I am feeling good today, except for anxiety after having drunk coffee. I am dressed washed groomed and in makeup for the first time in 2 days. I am back to work tomorrow.

Judy1959 - I agree with the washed groomed and in Make up, really does make you feel better. With the coffee today, shower and dry hair was about all I could accomplish. But felt better with a lower dose. Work tomorrow. I will do no coffee, shower, take a low dose and have a great day. I hope. I have to remember that this is a UK site. You are all on a different time zone.

To All:

We can all concern this!!! Just like AA one day at a time!!! NO Judgement!!

You are so right. One day at a time. Even though this is a UK site I am in canada. It is the best site I have found. Lots of support and encouragement.

Yesterday was rough, very sore, tired due to lack of sleep the night before. So far today is better.

Hang in there it will get better. I worked yesterday and then went to Yoga and am feeling much better. Try taking some Gaba I find this helps with the anxiety and sleep. You can also try sub-lingual Melatonin (under the tongue) for sleep. Hope things are better today.