Venlafaxine Withdrawal

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi I have been attempting to withdraw off 37.5mg venlafaxine. My original dose was 1 x morning and 1 x evening. I reduced to 1 am and 1/2 pm, then stopped the pm one and then cut the am one in 2. So having taken 1/2 one for maybe 3 weeks I stopped taking altogether on Thursday (its now Monday). Last night my symptoms were so bad I took a 1/2 just to try and get some sleep. I felt like a failure and that in itself made me feel bad! I have a Dr's appointment tomorrow and I have written down my symptoms (as I cant remember a thing and the headaches are worse!) However when coming to work this morning I felt 'nothing' I realise that this is what the pills do, they void you of emotion. The last 3 days I have been crying at the drop of a hat, obviously that's not good either but I assume that will stop when withdrawal stops? I have no idea! I have watched countless YouTube vids about what to take in its place, I know there is no drug as such but does anyone have any ideas? I want to stop taking these but I cant bare the feeling I have had over the last few days alone! I have been on Ven for about 10 years, I don't want to slump into taking these because its too difficult to come off them. By the way I have had real bad dizziness but I don't think I've had any of the much commented on 'brain zaps' do they come later?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    so you were on 150 is that right ? and you dropped to 112.5 to 75 to 37.5 ? how long at each drop ?

  • Posted

    I feel for you, I'm on 75mg the chalky tablets, I have accidentally missed the odd dose here and there and it's left me with withdrawal the following day, brain zaps, numb lips, nausea, dizziness.

    when I first started using it, also about 10 years ago, I decided I wanted to see how I get on without them so, I stopped taking them cold turkey, I was bed ridden for 2 weeks, cold sweats, nausea, severe flu like symptoms, I was delirious, not ever suffering from withdrawal from any other anti depressents I didn't realize that was what was causing it. When I finally realized and started taking them again I was normal after about 3 days. I honestly wish I had never taking the stuff, I can't imagine how I'm ever going to come off this stuff. Being a single parent, I can't risk being that ill for that long,

  • Posted

    Come off gradually from top dose two weeks then lessen for two weeks until lowest for two weeks then stop you will get brain zaps but after a week they will stop

    • Posted

      Hi Mike12345, thanks for that. I did reduce slowly, even slower than you recommended but last night was unbearable! I have ended up taking another half last night and this morning. I must say its the worse I have ever felt, the headache was horrendous, not sure if this was the brain zaps or not. I am at the GP's today so I will see if I can get smaller doses to take and start again! Nightmare.

    • Posted

      Hi Sarah24378 - it was 1/2 of a 37.5mg so I suppose it was 18.75, although not an exact science as I was biting them in half. This was taken in the morning for approx 2/3 weeks.

    • Posted

      it is so hard as really that is too high but getting any lower with the tablets is difficult did you get withdrawal symptons when you were tapering.

      there are places you can order taper strips on the internet maybe have a look. can t post here as not allowed but use the word cinderella.

  • Posted

    The brain zaps are not a headache it is like a small earthquake where your vision shakes for a second every so often they are not painful

  • Posted

    Hi - Been to the GP they have prescribed liquid venlafaxine with a detailed reduction timetable. As its not widely available i need to have it ordered. They have stated that sticking to this should lessen the effects of withdrawal and the symptoms should last for 2 weeks from the last dose but not be as bad as the last few days. I am going to start it when i get the script so i will keep updating on here and let you know how it goes!

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