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Venlafaxine withdrawal

Posted , 2 users are following.

nat1986
nat1986

Hi.

I had been on venlafaxine for 1 year, prior to this I was on sertraline for 7 years. I found the sertraline was not effective anymore for my OCD (intrusive thoughts) so I went to see my psychiatrist and he put me on 75mg of venlafaxine. My plan was to always try and come off the venlafaxine at the end of year and see how I go without medication. December 2020 came so I went to see my psychiatrist, he told me that as I was only on 75mg of venlafaxine, it was a low dose and I could just stop the medication. I may feel a bit foggy and off for a few weeks but nothing else. Off I went and listened to the doctors advice as he knows what he is talking about. After day 3 of stopping, I felt awful. I had every single withdrawel symptom and couldnt stop crying. I rang the psychiatrist and he told me that I was clearly just very sensitive and to go back on the medication but to 37.5mg and try to come off again when I felt ready. Within 2 hours of taking the tablet I felt better and the withdrawals had gone. I then realised how powerful this drug was!

in january 2021, I decided to try again to come off but have done it with the GPs help. The plan was to take a tablet every other day for 2 weeks, then a tablet every 2 days for 2 weeks, then every 3 days for 2 weeks. I have just started every 4 days for 2 weeks. I can honestly say this s**t is hard. I have done a lot of research on the withdrawals and alot of people have said to take fish oil and magnesium to help. I do believe they are helping. I am hoping by mid march I will be off this drug.

My concern is, how long will the withdrawals last for once I have stopped completely?. Will I feel back to me again or is my brain 'damaged' now from this drug?

I would never have touched this medication if I knew how difficult it was to come off. Just wish the doctor would have explained this all to me before I started going on it. Yes it did help with my OCD however I am sure other medication would have aswell.

I wish everyone luck who is going through this withdrawal journey!

0 likes, 1 reply

1 Reply

  • Nicole85
    Nicole85 nat1986

    Posted

    Hi Nat,

    Thank you for sharing your journey.

    I was just wondering how you got on with your withdrawal and whether you was successful and if you had symptoms after coming off etc.

    I'm currently, trying to start coming off but struggling with it.

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