So when are you suppose to feel better
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all. I have been off Ven since Jun 11th. Did the proper tapers and all that and I still feel like crap. Last dose I was on was 37.5 mg’s. Spoke to a Pharmacist yesterday and she told me Ven is the absolute worst med to come off. I just want to know when I can expect relief from the brain zaps as well as stomach issues. Dr told me 4-6 weeks. Well i’m now into my 7th and it seems I’m going in the wrong direction at this point. I have been taking Omega 3 pills as well as vit C and D3. And 1 multi vit. Just dont know what to expext anymore!!!!! The pharmacist said she would check her sources for info on trying to deal with the withdrawal side effects and get back to me. If she has some good stuff I will certainly share with everyone.
0 likes, 8 replies
linda19709 john059
Posted
Hi John, all I can tell you my experience with effexor. Was on it for 17yrs, it stopped working and with the guidance of my family dr. Over about a 2 month period am off of it. It's been almost a month being off. Kept feeling like crap. Went to a psychiatric nurse practionner a few days ago, she said I was weaned off of it way too fast, she said I am having withdrawl and it will take more time to get thru this. I am only taking xanax as needed for anxiety and I go back in a few weeks to see her again. It's been awful, and I just keep telling myself that it will get better. As have many others I have talked to who've been thru this. I wish you luck. But if it gets too much for you, see a specialist.
john059 linda19709
Posted
norton77 john059
Posted
I've expected it to take up to 2 years to ween off venlafaxine, lowering the dose the smallest amount possible every 5-6 weeks
john059 norton77
Posted
MelisaD john059
Posted
Hi, I’ve been off and on Ven for years, and YES, YES, YES....it is the WORST med to come off of. I know all to well about the brain zaps, vertigo, headaches, upset stomach etc....
Unfortunately, this is the ONE med that you must taper off of extremely slow. I went from removing beads from the caps to 25mg tablets. I didn’t do the “skip a day then take one” ....or “take one then skip 2 days” methods.....🤯🤯
I did each dose taper for 1-3 weeks before each reduction. I began cutting the 25mg’s in halves then quarters until I got down to (6.25mg). My last week on venlafaxine my doc prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) to minimize any withdraw effects. I started these as I began the “skipping days” method until I completely tapered off ven. 😬
For me, this definitely helped. Once the minimal withdrawal effects faded, I then tapered off the Prozac (2-3 weeks), which is more tolerable due to its life cycle. I don’t know how you do it, but please ask your doc to prescribe it to provide relief.
I hope this helps! Btw, I’m back on venlafaxine (only med that works for me), but if I ever taper again, I’m glad I know how to. I hope this feedback helps any others struggling to wean off this med.
john059 MelisaD
Posted
BiPolarVortex john059
Posted
Hi John- even the manufacturer has acknowledged the extreme Post Discontinuation Syndrome resulting from a fast Effexor taper. (And attorneys)This is no trifling matter. Your life is at stake. The symptoms you’re feeling can be permanent. Unfortunately, doctors for the most part just don’t believe us, and aren’t open to new information. The best advice I’ve heard is to restart at a slightly lower dose. However, it is critical how much time has passed since you stopped. This is the part I’m not familiar with. Maybe someone else can help? I expect my total taper from 150 mg to take at least 12 to 18 months. I remove granules. My doctor isn’t on board, so I just don’t bring it up any more. Mental health daily.com members have shared detailed tapering info.
john059 BiPolarVortex
Posted