Still,struggling to get off Venlafaxine

Hi Lucy, thanks for reply. That does make sense. I will do that. Isn't it a horrid drug . I was put on this last Nov and kept on saying it's not doing anything but make me sweat. Now, finally I'm coming off. I just wish I'd been told how horrible this is to come off from. This is my 3rd attempt. I wish you luck Lucy, let me know how you get on. Julia 

Hi Julia I really didn't like venlafaxine, I took it for 18 months and put on a stone in weight, previously over 20 years I'd taken citalopram. I felt really miserable on it so decided enough is enough. I was taking 150mg and over three months reduced slowly, I bought a tablet cutter also which helped although the process wasn't easy I succeeded and now I don't take anything and feel so much better. I still every few weeks get dizzy/brain zaps but it only lasts a very short time. Good luck with coming off this horrible drug.

Thank you for your email. I've got a tablet cutter now, now currently on 18.5...5th attempt. I'm dreading it as I don't seem to get past the 18.5 part. At least not for 3 or 4 days then I start feeling so ill I take a 37.5 just to cope for the day ...then have to start again. I will update ...I should do a daily blog! Xx 

Hi Kaye, how long have you been off?

Hi Lucy, how are you doing with the tapering of Ven. Today I began 9.2 after having a horrid week of 18.5. The beginning of the week was evil and I started pulling my hair again. (Look so attractive with my 2 bald patches on opposite sides). Towards the end of the week I felt a bit brighter as my body got used to the reduction and I saw my daughter and my grand babies for a couple of hours yesterday which made me feel great. Almost normal. 

Anyway, here comes the following week of half of the 18.5. I was going to give it a week and then drop altogether next Sunday, but will take each day as it comes.  Thinking of you, hoping you are ok? Take care of yourself xx

Hi Julia

I've been off of venlafaxine for three weeks tomorrow. The first few days were awful but then I seemed to level out as far as withdrawals go. I discharged myself from hospital (thank god I went in voluntarily!) after one week and had felt pretty good considering. However the last few days the withdrawals have hit me again. Awful brain zaps every time I stand up, horrible fatigue and can't seem to control my temperature - dripping in sweat one minute and cold the next. Feeling really low in myself too but I'm hoping that's just a reaction to the physical effects of withdrawal and not the depression sucking me down again. I guess time will tell...

Please take it very slowly. If you need longer on the current dose, then stay there for a while longer. It can be counterproductive to rush it, even though I know how much you want rid of it. You're almost there and have done so well. Just listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Is your doctor being supportive?

Lucy xx

Glad to hear you are home, bet that made you feel better straight away. Thanks for reply, it can feel so isolating tapering off this drug. My MH worker is supportive but the Gp isn't. He has only given me enough for one more week at this small dose and he will refuse me more. He has not been sympathetic at all about me withdrawing from this drug, I think he is just fed up with me saying I'm coming off, then going back on when it starts hurting. I'm sseeing my MH worker tomorrow, she is lovely. I'm feeling dizzy now so will sign off. Thank you for your support. It's so appreciated xx

Just over a year and have never looked back, I feel so much better being drug free, I actually want to get up in the morning and get on with my life. I’m retired and have thrown myself into volunteer roles. X

How lovely to read this, well done!!! I'm on day 4 of 9.2 Venlafaxine...and I walked my doggies today!! I was sweating and aching all over but I dosed up on fish oils and off I went. So nice to see my doggies fast asleep because I took them out. 

Kaye, you should be so proud of yourself...evil drug! And you beat it! 

Thanks Julia yes I must admit I’m proud of myself in getting off that evil drug, I don’t think doctors realise just how difficult it is to withdraw from it. You will get there, stay focused on the day you don’t take or need it 😃

Thanks Lucy. I asked about this today and it was agreed ...so as  from tomorrow I will be taking the smaller amounts. I was quite angry at the doc, as he hadn't told me about the withdrawal and his plan was too fast to get me off the Venlafaxine. It was actually my mental health worker who told me the withdrawal needed to be slow. Still, I am feeling better today and I'm sitting up eating without that bloody headache!!! A whole 2 days of it, and constant sickness. All I ate was ice lollies...2 boxes of them, which probably wasn't the best idea but all I could manage. Thank you for your reply. Julia 

Some doctors are so badly informed about it. After a recent overdose the doctors in the hospital told me to come off it in one go. I was actually OK for a few days but on the fifth day I woke up and couldn't even walk across a room without falling over. The sickness, dizziness and headache were just awful. Luckily my GP was happy to go against hospital orders!

Yes thank god your doc was happy to go against that ridiculously dangerous advice. Hope you are feeling stronger now Lucy.