venlafaxine withdrawal- please help!!

Venlafaxine !!! I am a 61 yr old male, and was put on this 12 months ago, 37.5mg twice daily, due to depression whilst going through a messy divorce.

I decided, now the divorce is finalised, although there is still ongoing stress of selling the marital home, and finding a new home, that I would try to come off this. I started by reducing to a daily dosage, for two weeks, then every other day, and now am trying to kick completely. I have been totally off for a few days.

I am experiencing constant dizziness, my occasional tinnitus is in overdrive, and my sleep pattern is now from 4.00 am til noon ! Weird! This leaves me feeling tired, but I cannot get off to sleep. Why can't I have the anorexia, instead.

When does the itching start ?

I will have to tell my 15 yr old son to expect even more weird things from me.

I am going to throw away the supply that I have, and grit my teeth. I never embrace taking medication, and surely it cannot last as long as my divorce, three blooming years . Or can it ? I have just to take statin, ramipril and aspirin, having had a quadruple bypass during these three years. Still onwards and upwards.

Hi Adrian, my itching started after 7 or 8 days but not everyone experiences this. Whatever symptoms you get just take it as "normal" for you.

Just sleep when you can, day or night and leave a take away menu out for your son!

Try to treat this as a bad bout of flu and know that it will not last.

I'm back to work on Monday so am going to try driving tomorrow.

Grit your teeth and be prepared for a bumpy ride and good luck.

.

Thx Deb. Is the itching all over, or in certain areas.

I have been driving today. I just keep focused. At my age, I grew up with managing to drink, and drive, and this experience is now proving it's worth with these side effects. Naughty , but true.

PS . Us men don't get flu, it is always double pneumonia .

Hi Adrian,

My itching is like lots of little pin pricks all over, but not everyone has this. Maybe it's a female thing?

Today I've a tingling sensation in my mouth and nose as if a dental anesthetic is wearing off!

Does this get any stranger I ask!!

Days 7 to 10 where the worst for me as I couldn't lift my head off the pillow I felt so ill, but a great improvement now though not 100% by any means.

Expect the unexpected and good luck with that "double pneumonia!

Hi, I came off venlafaxine in Oct 13 and it was pretty horrific!!! I am so proud of you all for coping so well......keep going. You really must try to stay strong. I am doing well now three months on.....better than I would have ever imagined but have just experienced a bad episode of depression. But you know what....I'm staying strong and dealing with it. I know I can get through it. I don't think there is ever a "good" or "right" time to come off Venlafaxine but you need to be strong and prepared for the side effects. I am so proud of myself for coming off Venlafaxine and coping.....it is so very hard and you must all appreciate just how strong you are and how far you have come.

Hi Jen glad you are still recovering. Not been here in a while. I'm doing good too. The horrific withdrawal does go but it takes time and self kindness. I'm having a tricky time right now it's a year since my dad died and I'm feeling myself dropping into the blackness but I WILL NOT go back. I'm so much stronger now. Good luck x

I have just rang the NHS trust 111 for advice. I am not going to go cold turkey. It is too hard. I have been advised that the withdrawal symptoms could get worse because I have been on venlafaxine over seven years so it has built up in my system. I will get off but under supervision.

Hi embroideredheart,

I am assuming that the withdrawal period goes in tandem with the length of time that you have been on the drug .

have been off V for about 4 months.

have recently had a bout of anxiety and stomach pain (viscious circle) is this part of the withdrawel and how long does it last

Hi Adrian I don't think it's about how long. It's seems more to do with the strength and what form. I also think its to do with how supported you are and how understanding your close people are. Rest and mindfulness are definately helpful too. Slow withdrawal works best. But the side effects are awful. My son is studying substance abuse and has supported friends through heroin and method one withdrawal. He said my "rattle" was every bit as bad. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGER OF THIS DRUG. Sending healing thoughts to all of you tonight. You can do it ☺ and well done for trying.

Dosage ? I do not know what is high or what is low. I was taking two 37.5mg a day. I am assuming that this is on the low side, but I don't know.

Hi,

Embroidered heart.... Been thinking of you lots recently wondering how you are. I think the sadness goes on but we have more strength now. It all felt numb before but now it feels real and we need to deal with it. I've been a mess recently but determined to beat it and stay positive.

Venlafaxine really is hard to get off......do not think this is an easy ride but you really will feel so much better. I'm v proud of you all.

If you didn't read my previous posts, I was on 150 slow release capsules and reduced these gradually by taking out the little beads inside the capsules. It was hard.....I felt terrible....horrific...but it was worth it. Please keep going everyone.... It is worth it. Xx

I cut down from 300mg to 75XL over two months okay, but coming right off seems to be bad no matter what dose you're on.

The reason for the withdrawal effects could be is that the drug has a very short half life. This means that your brain gets kind of thrown in the deep end rather than being lowered in slowly.

You need to know your own condition and capabilities VERY well before deciding how to come off this.

So true Deb. I had to cut my 75 in half then take only once a day then every other day. That stage took ages and all the time I was totally rattling. But it worked for me and I got free.

Adrian just saw your reply. Yes that is on the low side. But everyone is different. Keep at it try cutting in half or taking only once a day or every other day.