Venlafaxine and trying to get off this awful drug!

Don't go off it to fast it takes a very long time.  I was on 150 and I'm currently down to 37.5 but can't say it's been easy.  No one understands the side effects.  I have done this pretty much alone since the drs don't really know me.  I have heard the many side effects and what I can't figure out is why the drs continue to give it.  I've never had anyother drug besides Zoloft and I must write I will never be put on another drugs for coping again.  If I need to calm down I'll have a glass of wine.  Good luck it's been a month now and I'm still on the 37.5 but hope to be off it soon.  Just keep positive and fight what your mind is saying.  You need to keep moving forward.  Only you can do this.  Good luck

Good morning, Sarah, I'm writing you from Canada. I can only make suggestions of course as I am not a physician and I understand deeply that everyone's body reacts it many different ways to the poisons fed us by Big Pharma via medications prescribed.

I was on 75mg as well, and with the capsules. I slowly (very slowly) decreased the amounts in the capsules by opening them up and taking out the beads; every week a little more. Then closing up the capsule again and swallowing that.

When I was down to about 1/10th of a capsule I decided it was now or never, spoke with my hubby about the side effects of getting OFF the meds completely, and explained to the children what may be happening. May 17th, 2014 was my very last dose.... I haven't gone back, even once to "relieve the symptoms" because I felt it was a terrible step backward.

The recovery from the Ven is horrific. Especially Days 5, 6, & 7.

BUT, most of the symptoms had eased off by week 5 or 6. I am still struggling, though. I have mild paranoia and at times my relationship with my hubby was at a tipping point (we are relatively new to this relationship and still have lots to learn about each other besides the crap the withdrawal symptoms have created. It hasn't been easy on either one of us). I think if we can survive this, the rest of our lives will be a breeze.

I did not want the assistance of a medical professional for this either, I know they would just prescribe other forms of "numbness" by way of medications. Instead I am following a regiment of chiropractic care with Calcium/Magnesium, Pottasium, Omega 3-6-9, and a multivitamin. I can notice a huge difference in how I feel when I stopped taking these! I have since gone back on the minerals and vitamins at quite high doses. The other thing I used was Benadryl, this helped control the brain zaps, and allowed me to sleep (sort of) allbeit a "fake" sleep. Since the zaps are gone now, I no longer take them.

My dear, it will take patience, a LOT of patience to remove yourself from this poison forever remembering that you are in control of it, not the other way around. I am looking at using meditation techniques as well to help me get through the rest of the recovery.

I can only help you here by telling you you can overcome this, step by step and although it seems like you are going through hell, it's only that... going through it; not being a permanent resident there!! (HUGS))

I wish you all the strength you need!

~Hilda

 

Just to add, I used the same method as hiphi and it worked wonders for me too. If I got symptoms I would take out fewer beads. Once totally off, I would take the occasional bead or two if symptoms came back.

The more gradual the taper off the more likely you will get to zero and be ok, that was my experience anyways.

Good luck

I came off these before and the effects are at their worst when having taken the final pill.

Fortunately, i read elsewhere that if you take final pill then a course of low dose prozac for a week, then you will come off them with minimal effects. This actually did work for me, and because the long half-life of the prozac, there were no start up or withdrawl effects when i stopped them.

Ask your doctor about it, luckily mine knew about that method also

Hello Spanishsarah,

I can identify with all everything you have written.  I came off Venlafaxine 15 days ago after being so tired of the side effects and wanting to start a family.

 I can't say stopping was easy but I found a post written by someone else really useful. 

Here is the post that got me through

_____

- I didn't manage the exercise each day but did and still am taking the vitamins and I feel this helped a lot (even if it was psychosomatic I felt a lot more in control).  I couldn't stand caffeine or sugar when feeling at my worst anyway so I 've steered clear of any stimulants in foods and tried to eat naturally.

I started taking vitamins to help the withdrawal symptoms on Day 4 of withdrawal and I can't say 100% that it was the vitamins that improved how I felt but I'm really sure it did help.  I was so close to taking my Ven tablets again that I had to flush them away so I had no option to start taking them again and I won't take them ever again.

  I think stocking up and taking the vitamins and completely de-toxing my body really gave me a postive attitude to quitting and I felt more in control.

My doctor said there were no withdrawal symptoms and recommended I come off 225mg all at once ( I think this is madness and he is a fool) consequently I had to gradually reduce the tablets myself and went from  37.5mg to zero as like you I couldn't reduce the capsules anymore. 

I can say that even though it was so hard, it is really worth it - I feel more like myself again, no more permanent drowsines and  I feel like I have proper sleep without the awful night sweats. 

These forums also helped so much as you can feel completely alone if you do not have supportive doctors, but keep that end goal in mind and the reasons you want it out of your body and you'll do it,

I wish you all the good luck in the world with this and don't hesitate to get in touch if you need to 

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I have been working my way off Effexor. Not good! Down to about 10 beads and still have withdrawal issues. A lot of fatigue and weird feelings.

You are doing the right thing!!! And continue to have faith. It will get better.  Follow the suggestions on this blog as you see fit.  The Fish oil, exercise, and benedryl totally helped me.  I've been completely off since February 21, this year.  There is light and life at the end of the tunnel!!! Best Wishes