1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Venlafaxine

I'm coming off venlafaxine slowly and I think I'm getting there

Posted , 7 users are following.

kaye41662
kaye41662

six weeks ago I made the decision with my doctor to stop taking ven as the side effects were just awful plus I didn't have faith in these meds. I went from 150 mg of slow release capsules to 75 mg which was fine, I did this for 3 weeks but then hit a problem as to how to halve to 37.5 mg, I saw my doctor again who prescribed venladex xl 75 mg prolonged release tablets, I bought a tablet cutter £1.20 from Boots and set about cutting the tablets in half and then a quarter so that I can take 3/4 of 75 mg. I've taken that for 10 days and yesterday changed to 37.5 mg, yes I'm getting a few brain zaps especially first thing in the morning and feeling a bit sick but otherwise so far so good. I'm also take Omega 3 capsules and a multi vitamin tablet to help along the way. My plan is 10 days of 37.5 mg, then quarter the tablet for 10 days then 10 days of every other day before finally stopping for good.

my reason for writing this is to ask if anyone can give me any advice to help me along the way to be finally free of this horrible drug and hopefully get rid of the one stone in weight I've put on 😩

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • phyllisj
    phyllisj kaye41662

    Posted

    Well done you! I hope someone can give you some guidance

    I'm down to 150 from 225, been on ven 8.5yrs and have gained six stones. I don't even look like me anymore. Very clever with the 3/4 tablet thing. My capsules are made up with tiny spherical pellets, so they might be easier to reduce. I'm taking the reduction very slowly. Barring any major dips I intend staying on 150 for a while. It would be good to know how hard it's going to be to lose ven weight though.

    • kaye41662
      kaye41662 phyllisj

      Posted

      Yes the tablet reducing is good as my doctor didn't think opening capsules a good idea. If you are taking slow release caps and do sometime change to tablets make sure they are slow release too and not the immediate release tabs. 

      Ive only taken ven for 21 months and what with awful sweats, weird dreams, feeling tired all the time and weight gain I thought enough is enough. I have been on anti depressants for 20 years but have decided I don't need them as they didn't really help me.  I feel so well knowing there is an end in sight for me and if I do need support it will be via CBT.

      good luck to you.

    • phyllisj
      phyllisj kaye41662

      Posted

      I totally agree in the antidepressants, I save a different HP las year whi said depression and associated mental health disorders have peaks and troughs whether they are treated or untreated, so after I calmed down again I thought why am I poisoning my body with all this medication? Since then I have been dropping all my meds and although I'm having a minor blip at the moment I feel more clear headed than I have in years. I realise that at the time I needed help out the black hole, but I'm adamant that I will drop the Ben and keep up my CBT, journaling etc. I host hope the weight moves.😏

  • neil91349
    neil91349 kaye41662

    Posted

    Nice one I'm doing similar thing and I've lost 4lbs in a week. I'm taking 75mg of Ven from 225mg so far so good.

  • Greatgranny
    Greatgranny kaye41662

    Posted

    saw my MD yesterday and he was surprised that I had almost 4 weeks of some sort of withdrawal.  He had put me on 50 zoloft and I will continue that for 2 more weeks and then halve them and see him in another month.  Then I guess I stabilize on 25 and go from there.  Still don't think I am "quite right" but much better.  I would have stayed on Effexor ER for the rest of my life if I hadn't had that horrible withdrawal just for taking it 15 hours later than normal.  Scary.

     

  • raj59627
    raj59627 kaye41662

    Posted

    Hey, good job buddy!! Am on Day 6. Was on 75 XR for many years. Reduced to 37.5 XR last year, and 6 days ago just stopped. First 3 days were a bit of struggle. Today, withdrawal symptoms are there - occasion benign zaps (their potency has come down quite a bit), general lack of sharpness of mind, a bit of fatigue, loss of sound sleep. All this may sound terrible but it's not. It's little of everything, but the feel-good of freedom from this drug is way more strong.

    By the way, I did add loads of juices, fruits, multi-vitamins to diet, and have added running to routine. And occasional use of sugar (chocolates / ice cream) for immediate help.

    It's too early to celebrate, but chances are increasing every day.

    So, please don't worry too much of immediate symtoms. Those will pass. Make sure you are emotionally in a stable, preferably happy state. Don't expect doctors to understand you completely. Docs will play it safe most of the times.

    Good luck !!

  • Kimmi0427
    Kimmi0427 kaye41662

    Posted

    Hey # im doing the same. I went down from 150mg to 37.5mg. It did pk for mr. BUTy dr wanted me to tske the 37.5 for every 3 days, then off a day and ssid by 3 weeks just stop taking them and if be off them

    Wrll, O.M.G. the first night i didnt take one, of course bu 3am i say up and brain zapped away, and went oh crap! Appatently 3am is ehen they run out of your system from night bfore so like 14 hrs.

    Bottom line, no clue HOW im gonna get off these exvept to do it on days i can lie in bed and brain zap. UGH!

    Let me personally know what i wind up doing. Good luck #!!

    Best wishes w the zaps lol,,,,, UGH!!!!

    KIMMI

    • raj59627
      raj59627 Kimmi0427

      Posted

      37.5 dosage is way too little. My doc told me that withdrawal is more pyschological than physiological.

      If you can, just take a plunge. There's always recourse.

    • kaye41662
      kaye41662 Kimmi0427

      Posted

      Good luck Kimmi we will get there and say goodbye to this awful drug 👍😍

  • Kimmi0427
    Kimmi0427 kaye41662

    Posted

    Omgosh so sorry for those typos. Im on my phone and didnt have my contacts in! Hope u could read between the lines!!!!!

    Kimmi

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.