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Venlafaxine withdrawal help

Posted , 9 users are following.

lucy1969
lucy1969

I have been on venlafaxine for two years, 187.5 per day.

Last Monday I took a large overdose of a variety of medications, including ven. Needless to say but I am still here (and feeling pretty fed up about it).

The hospital discharged me on Friday and told me to stay off of them (I'd taken them all anyway so have no supply) until I'd spoken to my GP. It's now Monday again so have been without them for a week (although I guess they were in my system for a while longer). I cannot get an appointment with my GP until Thursday.

Yesterday (day 6 after overdose) I started to feel awful. Never known dizziness like it, vomiting, can't control my temperature, headaches, blurred vision and a weird fizzy feeling in my head. Had a total melt down last night, crying, screaming, pulling out my hair. My poor kids and husband had no idea what to do. When I eventually calmed down I actually slept really well.

But have woken up this morning and feel just like yesterday, possibly even more sick and dizzy.

I was hoping to come off of the venlafaxine and try something different as it obviously isn't working.

If I stay cold turkey, how long is this going to last? Or would I be better going back on a smaller dose and weaning off more gradually? It almost seems a waste as I've done a week already but if this feeling is going to last weeks rather than days, I'm not sure I can do it..

Sorry for the long post

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • denise3b
    denise3b lucy1969

    Posted

    I am sorry you are going through this. I am no doctor but my experience coming off cold turkey after 10 plus years is dangerous. I've never wanted to hurt myself before. This made my want to scratch my eyes out. Very sad cried for weeks. I still did my job and held it together but I was in mental and physical pain. Every muscle hurts and carpel tunnel terrible. I know I need something to even me out. I can't be on nothing. I am on cymbalta 120 mg per day. She cold turkey me off 300 mg of effexor and 10 mg of Wellbutrin

    And replaced it with 35 mg of cymbalta. After all she is the professional. I am a manager and the ladies I work with told the nurse in my building they were worried about me I was not the same. It hurt to smile. Mentally I am better physically I'm not. The nurse luckily figured it out. I forget the name it's a long name caused by coming off effexor abruptly. I am waiting to see if I have any muscle damage. Please get help this can be ugly I don't want you to hurt yourself.

    • denise3b
      denise3b

      Posted

      I meant I am now on cymbalta 120 and feeling better mentally
    • Purpledobermann
      Purpledobermann denise3b

      Posted

      Wow...cold turkey off 300...that is terrifying. Just. .wow. I am hoping she had a great reason for doing that that we don't know about. Otherwise.... Just wow sad

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