Experience from Coming off Venlafaxine

I was Venlafaxine 225mg for 6 years until a month and a half ago. The titration was done over 6+ months and I've heard others take even up to a year to wean off. The trick is to wean off slowly and you cannot rush the process. I reduced the strength by 37.5mg each time and every time I started a lower dose, I had to alternate days between the current and lower dose for about 10-14 days, then moved onto the lower dose....withdrawal included headaches, irritability, restless, nausea but they were bearable even minor so long as the titration was at a slow and steady pace. Not only was I under close GP supervision but I also had the support of a psychotherapist who I saw and see every 2 weeks. Also, I made sure I was emotionally ready and had the confidence of my therapist and GP that I was ready to wean off the antidepressants. I suffered from insomnia concurrently while taking the antidepressants and developed serious migraines and weight issues. Having come off the antidepressants, I no longer suffer from insomnia and migraines. I hope I'll lose the weight more easily now. However, it's not all rosy! Antidepressants dampen your emotions, all emotions not just the sadness or anxiety. Now, I'm dealing with an influx of raw emotions in full force (from anger, to joy, to impatience, vulnerability, excitement, etc). I'm now having to re-train myself to control them after 7 years of taking antidepressants (I was on another antidepressant (paroxitine) for a year before being switched to Venlafaxine). I hope this helps all of you out there!! My biggest message is, you do get better and getting off Venlafaxine, though hard, can be done with patience and support!! And yes, I do feel like and even get excited at going out these days!! There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel people!! Fight to get there - it'll be worth it!!

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