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Venlafaxine 375mg a day

Posted , 6 users are following.

Roxi30710
Roxi30710

Hi, I have been on Venlafaxine for 12 months and have gone from 1 x 37.5mg in the morning and 1 x 75mg in the evening to 2x75mg in the morning and 3x75mg in the evening. I want to stop taking them, not reduce them, but stop all at once. What will happen if I do this!

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pixie22
    pixie22 Roxi30710

    Posted

    I'd strongly advice you not to give up all at once. Like all antidepressants, venlafaxine should be reduced very gradually. Also you need to get the cooperation of your doctor - GP or specialist - because you might need their help and advice - for example you might need to take something else while you wean yourself off venlafaxine. And if you are still feeling depressed and/or anxious, you might still need something to help you cope.

    Good Luck!

  • amanda25783
    amanda25783 Roxi30710

    Posted

    I think that you would be very unwise to stop taking them in one go.

    You have recently been on a fairly substantial dose, and if you read some of the many mails to this address about the side effects of sudden withdrawal from Venlafaxine, you will get the general idea!

    I didn't have a problem stopping Venlafaxine, although I was only on 150 mg SL at the time.  I had a pelvic fracture, and was taking oromorph, which probably masked the withdrawl affects.

    I think that doctors generally advise a slow and gradual withdrawal ... and maybe you should discuss stopping the Venlafaxine with your GP.

    Otherwise - if things get too bad, you can always start to take them again, and try a less punitive way of stopping them a little while later.

    Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck.

    Very best wishes x

  • duckeggs
    duckeggs Roxi30710

    Posted

    Hi there Roxi, I just reduced from 225 over 6 days to nothing .. it's quite intense but I'm glad I did it this quickly .. hot sweats, brains zaps, upset tummy etc etc .. but I'm on day 7 of zero and so pleased with myself.  Having said that, everyone's depression / reasons for being on this drug is going to be different so what works for one person, isnt going to work for everyone .. so ...it has to be your decision how you do it, and if you must do it on your terms make sure you have some support at home if you choose not to involve your doctor!
  • Reggie04
    Reggie04 Roxi30710

    Posted

    Please do not stop as you might get withdrawal symptons I think as I have been on venlafaxine for a few years and am withdrawing  the dose  

    Via drs but I feel it has been reduced too quickly as I was on 225mg per day and then it was reduced to 150mg and now I take 75mg once a day. When I first had dosage lowered I felt so I'll and every bone in my body hurt they tested me for rhematoid arthritis as symptons were alike. These pains lasted a few weeks but I seem to be coping with 75mg daily. Make sure you reduce with professional help. Please don't just stop them and goodluck

    Nb

  • Abuelita
    Abuelita Roxi30710

    Posted

    I agree with Duckeggs. If you feel that strongly about moving forward, make sure you have support at home. You need a person that understands how to be helpful, that can get you to your doctor should you need it.

    I am on day 4 and can tell you that my partner's support has been key to my percistance. I am not sure I could have done it alone.

    Stay connected here. Make this your journal and allow this community to offer you support. It has been my saving grace, along with my partner at home.

    I wish you success!

  • Roxi30710
    Roxi30710

    Posted

    I would like to thank you all for your advice and concern. I get days where I feel really angry that I have allowed myself to get into such a deep depression with no obvious trigger.

    I am having councelling, yet still feel no better than I did when I was first diagnosed. Though I am guessing I must be, cos without the tablets I imagine I would be in a far darker place.

    Thinking about this last night, I wonder if I am trying to punish myself and coming off them in one go will do this. This has been the year to end all years for me, this is since being diagnosed, and I am not sure that I can begin another feeling as I do. There does appear to be no way out and I feel awful because there are worse off people than me. But I am trapped in this world and I cannot break free. It is like being in a room with windows and no doors.

    I hate being a burden to anyone, I am always the person who helps others, solves their problems, a shoulder when needed. I was always brought up being told to just get on with it, so have never felt comfortable confiding in others. Yet here I am confiding in you.

    Thank you again for your kind words.x

    • pixie22
      pixie22 Roxi30710

      Posted

      I do know how you feel, believe me - and those who say "snap out of it" or "I'm too busy to be depressed" just make it worse. Depression is a horrible illness which takes over your whole life.  It does sound to me as though you still need some medication to help you get through it and get you to a point where you can take control of your life. What do your counsellor and doctor say? It's not a sign of weakness to take medication - if it takes the edge off the agony and enables you to tackle your illness by other means like counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and formulating your own coping mechanisms for the worst times. That's strength - to be able to live with yourself as you are, not what you think you should be, or what you think other people think you should be.

      I hope that helps. You're doing the right thing by writing about how you feel rather than bottling it up. There are lots of us out there who understand. Look after yourself and stick at it - it will get better, you have to make yourself believe it.

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