venlafaxine withdrawal- please help!!

I was on Venlafaxine 150mg for 3 months. It really isn't the right fit for me though, and after years of being on 'happy pills' I decided to come off and see if I can manage without medicine. I have done it by the book. I consulted my Dr and tapered off as follows from 75mg twice a day

First I reduced the evening dose, and continued till I felt strong

Then I reduced the morning dose and continued till I felt strong

Next step was to quit the evening dose. I managed all of this very well

BUT

The final reduction is destroying me. Today is day 4 and I have all the symptoms you have all mentioned. I expected to feel rotten...but this is extreme. I refuse to go backwards. I can only move forwards now, but I really need to hear that it will pass - that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyone?

Oh cat lady, poor you ... yes THERE IS light at the end of this awful tunnel but you need to be kind to yourself, please go back a few posts where I have offered my own way of self help. its a dreadful feeling and the brain zaps- where the brain pathways are working to rebuild their own, not chemical strength, are truly mindblowing. take a couple of weeks to rest as as much as you can, eat well and get some fresh air and excersise (not easy in the dreadful weather at the moment - but find 5 mins a day if you can.

I am now about 6 weeks on. I am SOOOO tired and my sleep is very disturbed, Im not sure if this is still brain recovery or something different altogether!

Well done though for sticking at it, I nearly gave up a few times. It will be worth it.

hoe you feel better soon and take note of the road to recovery tips above!

((((0))))

Thank you, Embroideredheart! I will go back an read your earlier post. I must admit, I'm so dizzy, that I read in short bursts and then have to close my eyes.

I'm currently bed-ridden (really tricky with a toddler, but thank heavens for Cbeebies!) but as soon as I can manage, I will get exercise. I like your explanation for the brain zaps! Makes them a little less scary.

It's comforting to not be alone. Good luck on your recovery too.

Thanks for replying!

OOOO must be sOOOO hard with a toddler... can someone have them for you for a few hours so yo ucan get some wuality time for you... I passionately believe that the final part of our depression recovery is finding ourselves again... and that means me time... treating ourselves as worthy and deserving... remember only the most strong get depressed ... and yeh - reading is really tricky with brain zaps so take it a bit at a time.

((((0)))) MX

I've been on other antidepressants and have had to wean off before when falling pregnant or swapping to another class, but I have to say, that this is officially the worst. It was also the worst med for me while taking it. I know a lot of people respond so well to it, but it left me devoid of all feeling - like a robot - with crushing migraines!

Has anyone else experienced the feeling of your chest closing in on you though? It's the one symptom that concerns me and in moments of paranoia, I worry I'll stop breathing in my sleep. Lol.

Someone made me laugh today on Facebook, and boy did I laugh. It felt good. I'm holding onto that feeling to get me through this.

I don't really have anyone to watch my kiddy during the week, but I will see about getting out for a bit this weekend. Me time sounds divine.

Wowzers! Night from hell! The noise in my head kept waking me up, but I was often paralysed - like my mind was awake but I couldn't move my body. Had shooting pains through my legs too.

So glad it's morning. Hoping yesterday and last night was the peak.

Doctors really do need to warn people about this when they prescribe.

I just found this really great blog! The writer used an allergy med to help the withdrawal symptoms. The active ingredient is Diphenhydramine, which here in the UK is sold as Nytol. Now I don't suggest chugging back copious amounts of Nytol, but it may help when things get overwhelming.

http://effexorcoldturkey.wordpress.com/

Yep, same for me........

I managed to drift off to sleep eventually but kept waking up feeling in such a panic and like my body was frozen. Also, everything looked like it was moving (including the dressing gown on the back of the door!!!!!)and having those ridiculous noises in my head was just so annoying.

7 days later and counting.....nights are definitely worse now than a few days ago but everything else (nausea, dizzy spells etc) are gradually improving. Must stay strong....must keep going.......xxxx

hey ladies hang on in there xx

The night stuff goes on for a good while - i havent had a good nights sleep since I stopped...This is because your brain does most of its sorting and filing at night, and our poor brains are trying to mend too. its just too much. It sounds as if you are both having very light sleep patterns but the brain is going into a deep sleep (we do get paralysed in deep sleep) the moving stuff is halucinatory (i get that when I have morphine!) and shows you have some toxicity still in your system. it will pass.

have a good restful weekend ladies and take care of yourself x

I'm afraid I just couldn't do it anymore. After a slight improvement on Thursday, yesterday and today were absolutely horrendous. My symptoms all deteriorated and I got violent stomach upsets.

I refuse point blank to ever take another Venlafaxine tab ever again, but I did find an unfinished box of Citalopram that I'd been taking before the Venlafaxine. I took half (20mg). Within 2 hours, I was able to get up and have a shower and even managed to do a little vacuuming!

Its still my intention to get off, but I will wean off the Citalopram rather. Have done it before, so at least I know it can be done. Have read a few posts about Prozac being used as a bridge to wean off Venlafaxine, so hopefully I can achieve similar result with Citalopram. Worst case scenario, it at least gets me through to the week and I can see my GP. Certainly didn't fancy A &E in the state I was in.

What a nightmare. 7 days of utter hell. I'll let you know the outcome. Good luck to the rest of you. I admire your endurance and fortitude.

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling. Sending you my love and a big hug too. I have also been on Citalopram and Prozac before but nothing....nothing...prepares you for the nightmare of this. If it makes you feel better to wean off the Citalopram then go for you... little steps.....you'll get there. I've also considered using Prozac to help but I just can't face talking to my GP again when I never seem to get anywhere.

I am on day 10 now and felt ok this morning but broke down this afternoon......fell apart.

This is utter hell but I can see the light at the end of this awful journey. I am so proud of you and know you can do this. Xxxxxx

Well done cat lady you did you best and you are still managing and controlling your withdrawal. It is a long journey but you will find you eventually. I'm stil having panicky days and the nights are awful but I've found myself and that's good x

Thank you, ladies! Hugs all round. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even made 7 days!!

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear your afternoon went pear-shaped. I understand just how frustrating and exhausting it is. I also know exactly what you mean about not wanting to go to the GP again. They just don't get it. Although to be fair, I don't think anyone could 'get' this without having experienced it.

My dark and cynical side (which has had a good showing this week!!) is really entertaining the idea that the drug companies know just how hard it is, to get off the stuff, but it suits them! Where would they be without all of us and our hurts and paranoia's?

Phew! Rant over!

Embroidered Heart, you sound just about 'there', but Jen, if you don't make some decent headway in a few days, I'd make that GP of yours earn his pay! Apparently the Prozac bridge doesn't guarantee no withdrawal - but it's much easier to handle. And you literally only take a couple doses and it's the long half life that does the rest.

To try and imitate this, I will take another 20mg Citalopram tomorrow and then 10mg on Mon and Tues, and then leave the half life process do its thing.

Lol. Do you know how empowering it was to fire up the 'ol Hoover today!? Such small pleasures in life!

Hugs and love

CL

Took my last 35mg tablet at 8am on Thursday, not had any since. It's been fine as I've been busy and I refuse to become obsessed by analysing my every 'symptom'. Odd clicking in my left ear sometimes, quite snappy and quick tempered, slight dizziness and the odd zap, but nothing horrendous as experienced by others. Maybe I've been lucky so far. Wait and see, tomorrow will be horrendous! Looking forward with optimism.

Hey Missy! Sounds like you are doing well and I hope that continues for you! Some people do seem to manage better than others.