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First day without Venlafaxine

Posted , 5 users are following.

julia23547
julia23547

well guys, it’s finally here. My first day without Venlafaxine after a week taking 9.2mgs all week. Please wish me luck. One day at a time. Any support or advice really appreciated..thank you 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • john02998
    john02998 julia23547

    Posted

    My Doctor has me weaning off 37.5mg dose every other day for a week and then stopping.
  • m89928
    m89928 julia23547

    Posted

    Hello Julia,

    Good Luck to you!! I hope it goes well for you!

    I was on Ven 75mg. for over 15 years, and weaned off over a period of about 1 year. Looking back, that may have been too rapid.  When I got down to 10 mg dose, I took out 1 mg a week.  So 10mg for a week, then 9 mg for a week, then 8 mg the following week, etc.  When I was down to 1 mg, I took that for 3 weeks before discontining entirely.  I still had withdrawal symptoms, for many months afterwards, although not at the intensity that I believe I would have had I done a faster taper.  Omega 3 morning and night seemed to help.  Staying away from sugary foods seemed to help. Nothing aleviated all symptoms.  I am 28 months off this drug and still have some issues. It is a long journey, but you are on the right path.  Take good care of yourself!

    • julia23547
      julia23547 m89928

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for your encouraging email. It’s been day 2 today...feel very sick, headaches and my hips hurt? Is that where the Omegas help? And all I want to eat is carbs, not good when already 2stone overweight. I have just taken the dogs out for a 45 minute walk but puffed and painted my way round. I feel 106...so appreciate reading from people who are going or have been through the same thing. Thank you xx
  • m89928
    m89928 julia23547

    Posted

    Hi Julie,

    It's not easy, but you can do it!  For me, the Omega 3's helped calm nerves somewhat.  I had a huge spike of anxiety after discontinuing ven, and I had never had that type of agitation/anxiety before I took ven or during.  Also, nausea, confusion, depression, anger, it's all part of the process.  You're right, carbs probably don't help, but good news is, I dropped 20 lbs after discontinuing this drug. Hang in there, it takes quite a while, but you can do it!

    • julia23547
      julia23547 m89928

      Posted

      I’m hanging in there, so determined to not ever touch this drug again. Thank you 
  • patricia96761
    patricia96761 julia23547

    Posted

    My weaning experience was to drop by half dose for a month then stop.I did get " brain zaps " over a couple of weeks but manged to stay off then Good luck with your attempt!

  • lucy1969
    lucy1969 julia23547

    Posted

    How are you doing Julia? xx
    • julia23547
      julia23547 lucy1969

      Posted

      Hi Lucy, thank you for your thoughts. I’m on week 2 without Venlafaxine and now taking Vortioxitine, a bit low but no temptation to go back. Loading up on Omegas. Was sick all weekend after catching some bug that also ripped through the family, apart from that, I appear to be reasonably well!!

      and how about you? 

    • lucy1969
      lucy1969 julia23547

      Posted

      So glad you're doing well, keep it up smile

      After five weeks off of venlafaxine my mood has plummeted. Psych has put me on Duloxetine. Feel a bit like I'm back to square one but hoping this one actually works for me.

    • julia23547
      julia23547 lucy1969

      Posted

      Feel like a  square one too. Stick at it Lucy...let me know how you do xx
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