venlafaxine withdrawal- please help!!

I have just read all what has been said about withdrawal off of Venlafaxine. I am HORRIFIED. I live in South Africa ,and due to depression, which I have suffered from most of my life, I have been on a variety of drugs over

Until today I have had NO IDEA Venlafaxine was so hard to get off. My doctor reduced my dose from 150mg to 75mg in 4 weeks, and then 3 weeks ago NOTHING. I have fallen apart. Thought I was having another breakdown. Went to doctor who then put me back onto a dose of 75mg and said she will get me off them in 3 months. I have suffered from depression all my life, and the thought of this is dawnting. I am just glad to know it is not just me. That it is the drug. Not me.Hold thumbs for me, I think Im in for a bumpy ride.

Merrily don't give up. The withdrawal is truly terrible. My son is a specialist on heroin withdrawal and said my symptoms and pain were really similar. Now we understand why people addicted to hard drugs struggle...

The good news is this. ...

I reduced VERY VERY VERY slowly. Final 2/3 weeks down to half a 37 twice a day. Then once a day. Then nothing and boy was I sick. No symptoms even on the little dose. But with none my brain and body struggled big time. However a month later I am ok. Occasional panic attacks. Grumpy days. I CAN CRY for e first time in 3 Years!!

My message... Hang on in there. Come down VERY VERY VERY slowly. The doc has no idea what your symptoms are like. Use a pill cutter to cut the lowest dose up. Remember you are withdrawing from a highly toxic substance. Drink plenty eat well. Lots of protein Amd carbs helped no alcohol it really makes it worse. Good luck. You can do it and you'll feel empowered that you did xx

After years of medication for depression I hit rock bottom 4 years ago and I was prescribed venlafaxine and found they helped me after a period of time and things started to look a little better but I am still having long periods of darkness which I struggle to get through I go backwards and forwards to the doctors and he always tells me to keep taking the medication it feels like I will be taking this forever as I can't see an end to these feelings I am so fed up with feeling so low some days I struggle to get out of bed. I have a lovely husband and beautiful grandchildren but feel I'm forcing myself to be this happy nana all the time I can't make a decision about anything and have fears about everything I forget important things and feel completely useless all the time with the odd period of numbness. After reading the messages on this website I'm now wondering if it the medication that is affecting me instead of improving the symptoms I ask myself would I be better off without them i have always thought I could not go back to that dark place again. I look around me and everyone is enjoying their life while I just feel that I am going through the motions how will I know when to try to come off this medication or do I just keep taking it and carry on feeling on the outside of everything. My poor husband I don't know he puts up with me. X

I've just joined this forum, as just wanting to share my experience of venlafaxine, and also to try and talk to other people who may be in a similar situation to myself, as I'm currently feeling quite alone with what I'm going through.

I started a reduction of my venlafaxine this Monday. From 150mg, to 75mg. I have been on 150mg for approx the last 2 years. Prior to that I was on 375mg.

I am finding the step down to the 75mg incredibly hard. First day, I suffered from horrendous nausea and just wanted to sleep, second day, I felt incrediably angry and teary and frustrated, Wednesday was a mixture of both, plus feeling confused, yesterday I had all the above, plus the worst brain zaps ever!

Today, I tried to go out in my car, but only got down the road and didn't feel safe due to feeling totally confused and dizzy. I came straight home.

The feelings of being confused is probably the worst for me, I am normally very organised and on top of everything. I can't seem to concentrate and feel really irritated at the slightest thing.

I don't understand why the doctors don't tell you it's such a goddam awful medication to come off.....

Bless you Tracy - its because not enough [people report the issues (see thread early on pg 3 ish) thats of course because they are just too sick to!

It is indeed horrific, what you describe is very familiar to everyone else here. Go with it ... it passess... take it VERY VERY VERY slowly. when you feel stable again in a couple or 3 weeks (sorry yes at least that long) then you can step down again. It takes months. Get a pill cutter and cut the 75 in half and then step down a little at a time (2 weeks at least) DO NOT go cold turkey- it really isnt worth the anxiety and discombobulation.

even my very very slow withdrawal over 6 months to 1/2 37 x once a day... to nothing was too much for my brain. However a month later I am really good - occassional brain zaps - sometimes no reason crying, sometimes overwhelming anxiety but coming down day by day - keep at it. this is a very toxic drug and the withdrawal is even worse. hugs.

Am so sorry that you are haveing. Bad time with the venlafaxine I came off it nearly 2months ago it is very hard to come off as I was ill and sick and had been in a lot of pain and after a week a still felt a bit weak but after the 2weeks I felt so much better and back to my old self it is hard to stop taking them and doctors should tell. You what the side affects are and what the withdrawl symptoms are like but there is light at the end of the tunnel you just have to keep going and rest when you can

I've just joined this forum as to be honest....I'm struggling.

Yesterday was my first day without venlafaxine and I felt pretty awful in the afternoon and it's got worse since then. I've been feeling dizzy and sick since reducing them and I now have a constant buzzing in my head and feel so confused, emotional, tearful. I do want to eat and I feel so cold.

Who knows whether Venlafaxine has helped me over the years but I've felt so numb over the last few years and now know that the dizziness, sickness etc I have been feeling is due to not always taking my tablets on time or forgetting to take a dose.

It seems that doctors are keen to prescribe these tablets but where's the support when you need to stop taking them? I did not get any advice or warning about the withdrawal effects of this drug. It's the advice of people on forums like this that help.....so you know you're not alone. I'm trying to cope with this.....I need to be strong for my children and husband but I am struggling right now. X

@jem45118 I know how you feel doctors don't seem to tell you about the side affects or the with drawles but I went through the same as you and it will get easier it lasts for about a week and you will feel ill and sick and sore all over and cold but after a week it gets a lot easier then when you come on to your second week Without them you will find you will have an upset belly for a day or so and that's just all the toxins coming out of your body but there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will get there a know its hard to stay strong but if you need anymore information then you know to ask on here but good luck a found if you take pain killers it makes it worse just try and drink plenty x

This is an awful drug... I happen to be here at my computer so I hope I can help you!

I have just come out the other side of a nasty withdrawal... mine was very slow and measured because the drug was becoming toxic for me....

MY dr was fab and allowed me to be in control of the reducing dose... I think this is really important... it has different effects in different people. my final 2 weeks were 1/2 x 37 x2 and then x1 and then nothing and BAMMM I felt so dreadful, nothing prepared me for it. It will last at least 2-8 weeks depending on your final dosage and how you reduced and from what highest level.

I was so lucky to have a family around me who totally understood. My son is a Substance abuse specialist and has supported an inspirational Heroin abusing friend to come off a meth programme.

He says my symptoms were just like hers and that is because this drug is such a powerful chemical. Our brains are biologically primed for the chemical support and once its removed need to repair themselves.

YOU need to be kind to yourself and you need to get your family and friends to help - explain the information above.

my advice is below... its sent with love and a hug, and most of all experience. the bottom line

be kind to yourself for the next few weeks, put yourself first for a while... depression is the curse of the strongest ins society a fact! plan some "me time" and make family life easier by planning for an easier life for a few weeks.

SOOOOO...

BE KIND TO YOURSELF XXXXX

that means take time out to manage your symptoms, if you work can you take a long weekend or a bit more? If not at the weekend have a lie in, say that's what you intend to do - if you cant sleep to catch up (my nightmares wore me out) then watch rubbish tele - reading is not good with the nausea and brain zap.

GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT - not instantly but in a week or so but as a reward for feeling better.. a massage, nails done, relexology is REALLY helpful . book it now... that's a way husband can help practically!

GET OUT AND WALK - I know the weather is not good - Go on your own if you can, with a phone in case and some lovely restful music if that's your thing! you dont need to go far - in the countryside preferably or a park. BE MINDFUL by that I mean NOTICE things, the birds singing, the colours of the leaves, the sound of the wind rustling them, the rain dripping! if you can get near water even better.

this is a great antidepressent too... excercise helps as does the open air (I went blackberrying and then baked)

Excercise is really important- every day but only what you can face. I bought a bike and have been really looking forward to being OK to ride it (still a bit wobbly!!)

DO SOMETHING YOU USED TO ENJOY AND LOVE - I bake - enough said - this is NOT the time to diet!

EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN - preferably high protein (it will help mend the screwed up brain cells) I snacked on cheese and eggs! Carbs are good for your energy boost... not too much sugar or chemically enhanced food. eat as naturally as possible - Bananas have lots of minerals to help the nervous system and heart.

BRAIN ZAPS - dont fight it - close your eyes sit down and listen to something soothing, breathe carefully in through nose and out through mouth (yoga breathing)

GO SLOWLY - get a pill cutter and cut up the pills to reduce the dose as slowly as you can, dont go down until all the symptoms have gone.

WRITE A JOURNAL - on here is good - lots of the most successful witdrawers seem to have done that - read back!

TALK TO PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND AND HELP THOSE ON THE BEGINNING OF THIS JOURNEY-

NB DRS DO NOT understand!!

I hope htis helps - it snot rocket science and I am sure you know all this and maybe are doing it- if so this is to confirm you are doing all you can!!

I am happy to be your online mentor - for any grumbles etc husband included - mine is lovely but a nightmare!

Wow....thanks so much. It means so much to appreciate just what other people have gone through.

Exercise has certainly helped me over the last few months but right now all I want to do is hide in bed! I know it's early days though and I will try and stay strong.

My family are unaware of what I'm going through and sadly it is likely to stay that way despite us being close but I have my husband and children to support me along the way. I'm an expert at putting on a smile so most friends don't have a clue either although not sure I will be able to keep this up at the moment!

Thanks again.....I'll keep you updated as to how I get on but right now I am struggling to even type!! Xxxx

Oh my goodness Jen... You must take care of yourself.... when you feel that dizzy try eating something high protein like egg or cheese or meat.... it really helps.... or a banana .

please dont struggle to put on a brave face... thats probably why you were depressed in the first place! struggling on an being strong is fine when you are... but you are not right now. You need to look after you for a little while... dont be afraid to tell people you have an issue with meds right now. make sure you explain about how the brain zap feels to you. I hope you havent come off too quickly?

Thanks....I will go and eat something now.

I was on 150mg slow release capsules then starting taking out some of the little beads over the last two months. Gradually got down to 1/4 full (probably 37mg) then reduced this to nothing over the last week. Hope this wasn't too quick but I guess once i decided to come off them then I just wanted to stop.

Find it hard to explain to people....only told three friends so far and only one wants to understand. I've got two very young children so need to keep going for them.

Thanks for all the advice.....it is worth more than you can imagine.

well done for being strong and coming off... think you have done it ok. Well done to your friend... could she look after your kids for a little while a few days over the next week or 2? just an hour playdate? that will give you focussed time for you to rest and look after yourself without putting someone else first.. what mums do!!

little people are exhausting, so when they sleep or rest so should you, dont feel guilty... your brain has a huge amount of repairing to do thats what the brain zaps and dizziness are - brain repair and renew... you cant be in control of it but by giving it time to mend will speed it up. It doesnt last long and gets better every day - in a couple of weeks you will be so much better... and can return the playdate favour for your friend.

take care

Thank you for your advice. I am on 75mg at the moment. When the dr put me back onto the drug I started feeling better. Not altogether, but the symtoms were not as intence. I was feeling so bad before, that going back onto the drug just seemed the only option.

In 2 weeks time I am to see the dr again. Unfortunatley I am on capsules, so cant cut the thing in half, so I will have to wait for the dr to reduce the dose I am taking. I still am not top of the pop's. My zap's are not as bad, but the noise in my head is continuous and it makes me dizzy, and sometime disorientated. I am very irritable, short tempered, get so depressed, and of course the sore joints, tiredness, THE DREAMS, and every tihing else wear me out all the time. I wish sometime I could just find a deep hole and go in there and cover myself up and stay there forever.

Am going to see a new Phycologist tomorrow, not looking forward to it, but at least it will be someone to talk to about this.

Thank you all for the support. Apreciate it immensley.