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Success with venlafaxine withdrawal

Posted , 77 users are following.

oz82
oz82

Hi guys,

After 6 long years on venlafaxine, I have finally gotten off the drug. I don't know if this will be of any use to anyone, but I wanted to share some hopeful words and tips for anyone trying to come off of this nasty medication. I should clarify, however, that I am not angry for having been put on this medication, as I am sure it saved my life. That being said, 6 years, 225mg/day and an additional 20kg later (!!! just awful !!!) I am so glad to be Effexor free.

The details:

I was taking Effexor XR and had been on my maximum dose for 3.5 years. Prior to that I was on 150mg for about 2 years. I took 3 x 75mg capsules every morning as a once a day dose. Taking three tablets was initially to save money (for some reason it was cheaper here in Australia to do it that way) but it ended up having the extra bonus of making withdrawal easier.

What worked for me may not work for everyone, but this is the approach my GP and I came up with. Most was my own plan, based on what I found worked, but my GP gave me the initial "tablet dropping" idea and trusted me to take it slowly, listen to my body and see her as needed. It worked very, very well, with minimal side effects. If it helps even one of you it will be worth having posted this.

First things first:

1. Make sure you are taking care of yourself and are in a good place emotionally before even contemplating withdrawal.

2. You are going to need supportive people around you- I don't know if I could have done it without my boyfriend. Tell your family/friends AND DOCTOR what you are doing. This is crucial. You may also want to tell someone you trust at work what is going on, so they know why you may seem a little dazed every so often.

3. Make sure you are eating really well. I switched to a vegan diet about half way through and, although this is not for everyone, this made withdrawal so much easier. I am sure the huge amounts of vegetables made a difference. I especially noticed that days when I ate lots of sea vegetables I coped best with symptoms, so consider working them into your normal diet.

4. Take a multivitamin and drink lots of water. At least 2 litres a day. This will help minimise the horrible nausea you will probably experience.

5. Drink ginger tea/use ginger. This is also for the nausea and I found it was essential in the days after stopping completely. It really does help. I also wondered if some people might find a prescription for maxalon or stemetil helpful, as the nausea and dizziness was the worst for me.

6. Get lots of sleep. I mean heaps of it. Anyone who has withdrawn from this med (or even skipped a dose!) knows how tired you will get.

Now the tablet reduction:

I started by reducing my total weekly dose by 1 tablet per week (taking 2 tabs one day and 3 every other day) for a few weeks. This sounds like nothing, but even this produced quite bad side effects at first (teariness, exhaustion, dizziness and nausea). Only when I was comfortable (ie no side effects) with this dose regimen did I move on.

Then, I took 2 tabs instead of 3 on two days a week for a few weeks until I was comfortable (making sure to space the 2 tablet days out, eg Sat and Wed). Then I got into the habit of taking tablets as follows. I made sure to plan/write all of this down on our calender beforehand, to use as a guide and make sure I didn't mess it up:

3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2 etc for about 3 to 4 weeks

Then:

3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 etc for about another 3 weeks to month.

Then:

3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, etc for about a month. Then when I got to 2 tablets (150mg) a day on every day of the week I rested on that for quite a while (mostly as I was nervous about going too fast). Then, I did a pretty much similar thing to get down to one tablet a day. Then the same to get to 37.5 mg. I actually stopped pretty abruptly from the 37.5 mg stage, as I felt entirely ready. After that I had about 5 days of feeling pretty crappy, with symptoms as above, then I started getting better. Day 3 with no drugs was the worst for me.

So, in the end, it took me about 8 months to go from 225 to nothing. I know that seems an eternity, but I think that is why I coped so well. Five days after dropping from 37.5mg to nothing, I had almost no symptoms. Seven days later I had none. Even if you take nothing else from this, please know that it is possible to get off of this nasty drug BUT you must be careful, listen to your body, do it with support from those around you and in communication with your GP.

Good luck to all of you

xx

biggrin biggrin

17 likes, 204 replies

204 Replies

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  • helen_82394
    helen_82394 oz82

    Posted

    Hi, it's been a long time since you posted this information which I am interested in.  I was wondering if you could update on how you went off the Effexor longer term? 

  • tina38026
    tina38026 oz82

    Posted

    I just found out I am pregnant and had to literally be cold turkey cut off my venlafaxine and it's giving me bad withdrawal. I was too taking the maximum dose and was hooked. I am So miserable right now but it's gonna be worth it when it's over with the withdrawal symptoms. I just want it to hurry up. Lol I am so happy that you had the strength to get off of it because it's addictive.

  • emma27188
    emma27188 oz82

    Posted

     Hi

    I realise it's been a while since your last post but I was wondering how you were getting on? 

    I'm 2 months off Ven & going downhill fast with depression symptoms kicking in  as well as anxiety (which I didn't suffer from pre Ven) I must admit I did come off pretty quickly but I was only on a low dose. I just couldn’t stand the withdrawal & wanted it out of my system. I tried mirtazapine as a transition but it just made me sleepy & disconected from loved ones. 

    Just wondered if there's light at the end of the tunnel. 

    Thanks 

    Emma 

    Thanks

    Emma

  • mike60339
    mike60339 oz82

    Posted

    Oz,

    Many thanks for your post - it will be some time before I even start to think about coming off this drug but already I'm feeling concerned about how hard it will be. I think your approach is spot on - very gradual and with constant awareness of what's going on. I'm especially impressed with the fact that you've posted what you have after you have pretty well recovered - it's all too easy I know to walk away from these forums once you've recovered, but your experience will, I'm sure, be of assistance to others.

  • ple
    ple oz82

    Posted

    I’m on day 3 of no Effexor. I was on 300mg, Worst day yet, crying, brainzaps, depressed the sweats omg the sweats.  I’m determined though never ever to be in this position again.  I’m so angry that I put this poison in my mouth. But I didand have to get on with the conciquence of withdrawal.  My vision seems to be so much worse, can’t concentrate.  Keep reading forums for advice and help, and they do encourage me.  I’m going to take omega 3 multivits vit b and c apparently this will help the withdrawal symptoms.  I sound so negative today and I’m sorry just want to scream scream scream.  
  • m89928
    m89928 oz82

    Posted

    Hello, Very sorry you are going through this.  How long did you  take Effexor, and how long did you taper off the 300 mg?

    I was on a lower dose for 15 years and took me apprxoximately  a year to taper off. Even after that I had some withdrawal symptoms for many months, although not the brain zaps or nausea.  I did not "bridge" with any other medicine as I did not want to have to attempt to withdraw from something else.   Unfortunately, as I am sure you know,  this is a very difficult drug to stop taking. 

  • winifred40254
    winifred40254 oz82

    Posted

    Hi , you may recall my earlier posts. I have been weaning off antidepressantsv( 40 years ) and venlafaxine 12 years. Ive followed your plan , detailed on your post. I started in February at 225mg and am now down to 75mg. I have certainly had withdrawal but not too bad.

    However now I have low mood often and the last week or two , its really depression. I just wondered if you had this , it would be encouraging to me to plough on with this. All the best Winifred xx

    • helen_82394
      helen_82394 winifred40254

      Posted

      I’m sorry to hear this Winifred.  I’ve only down to 150 + 0.5 of 37.5 but do feel my mood is more labile.  Not sure if it’s just if I’m feeling more now and the issues that caused my major episode of depression are arising.  But I don’t want to risk another episode so I’ll wait now for a new, highly recommended psychiatrist to give advice. I hope you can get some good expert advice so you feel centred and without such pain soon. Depression is the worst. 
  • norton77
    norton77 oz82

    Posted

    I get ill from missing just a single dose, I take 1, 75mg chalky type tablet every evening, and I'm useless if i miss it even once, I was bed ridden when I stopped taking it for 2 weeks, not realising it was withdrawal until I took one and symptoms ceased immediately.

    With the kind of tablet I'm on and the effect missing one has I'm not sure how to reduce it.

    Well done your success, I've also wondered about going vegan or vegitarian, but feel like the quality of my meals might suffer, sort of clueless what to eat if there's not meat in a meal, 

    • jane60422
      jane60422 norton77

      Posted

      Hi norton77,

      I think you are on the same kind of venlafaxine (chalky tablet) as me. I have been on venlafaxine at various doses up to 225mg for 16 years! I'd managed to get down to taking 37.5mg daily for about 18 months but suffered a severe relapse and ended up back up to 225mg. However it didn't work for me and I have been reducing over last 4 months but my go introduced mirtazapine to help with my anxiety, lack of appetite and very poor sleep. In answer to your question, I bought a pill splitter and halved then quartered them. I am now on quarter of 37.5mg tablet which I'm taking every day for 2 weeks. I know you said you have to go to bed if you miss a dose, what are your symptoms? I have to say I'd Benn doing ok but now starting to feel as though I have flu, aching muscles, sometimes shivers, spacey feeling and sometimes feel like I've had too much caffeine even though I haven't. My anxiety creeps in now at times, along with panicky feeling. However having read the posts on here, I think it's more withdrawal rather than anything else. So I'm trying to remain strong and plan to stop the venlafaxine soon. Back at my doc next Tuesday for progress report on how I'm feeling.

      I find it comforting that I'm not alone in how I feel and I'm not going bonkers...that might be up for debate lol.

      Thanks everyone for sharing 😊

  • Keep_trying
    Keep_trying oz82

    Posted

    Hello, I was very interested in your post - and will look into adapting your

    Method when the time comes.

    I would love an up date , as your post is 5 years old. I truly hope you have stayed well during the abstinence years.

    Thanks from the U.K.

  • Keep_trying
    Keep_trying oz82

    Posted

    Having just been on this medicine since July 2017,  I should like to get it reduced eventually to the lowest possible dose  or off it altogether and swapped to paroxetine which I was on before at a maintenance of 20 mg. 

    I thought your post was very very helpful to lots of people, and like them would love an up-date.  I truly hope you have been well during this time since posting , but if not as good as expected , that to would be helpful to learn about.    all the best 

  • coletta49132
    coletta49132 oz82

    Posted

    Can anyone help me I've been coming off venaflexine 225mg in 3 weeks yesterday was my first day without 37.5 all the way through I've struggled symptoms outrageous all I want to do right now is die if I'm honest I can't cope with everyday life I'm a burden on my family I'm withdrawing from mental health nurses coming round at mo I'm sick to death sleeping waking up and life just being so stressful I love my partner my girls my grandchildren I'm no use to th if I'm not functioning properly and it's n been months literally I suffer from bpd ptsd depression anxiety eating disorders body dismorphia obsession s**t my anger and self harm is coming bk I need help please not locked up jabbed in the arse and forgotten about no affence seen a lot that's all

    • Keep_trying
      Keep_trying coletta49132

      Posted

      Hi Colette49132,

      I saw your post in which you sounded very distressed and low in mood.  Im sorry you feel like this at the moment.  Because when depression surfaces again it shatters your confidence in yourself, and its like all

      your control is taken away and put in the hands of other people.   I do understand.  When you mention that 

      youre  coming off venlaflaxine is this with the support of your doctor, because this has to be done very slowly or you will feel awful, like you say the symptoms are outrageous. Also it depends on how long you have been taking the med. for.   My suggestion is make sure the venlafaxine is withdrawn in stages, and somepeople switch to another anti - depressant perhaps in a low dose, to give yourself time to adjust. 

      It can be the worst feeling in the world,  being depressed and everything is coloured by it.  It is hard on 

      family life too.  But one day you will just start to feel a small bit better and when that happens you have 

      to take care of yourself and build on that, grandually.   You can see posts on this site that help, as you

      feel like someone else has been in your shoes - or is going through it with you, albeit from afar. 

      The wintertime is un helpful too, as being in doors although comforting can be isolating. 

      All the best. 

  • coletta49132
    coletta49132 oz82

    Posted

    All I wanted was help and I get a warning the 1st time i come on here I no wonder people give up.
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