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venlafaxine withdrawal- please help!!

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tg
tg

Hi there, ive just joined on here to get some advice and support... i was prescribed venlafaxine xl (modified release) 10 yrs ago for severe depression after my daughter was born, over the years this has been increased to 225mg a day. My partner and i want to have another baby and was aware of the effects venlafaxine has or could have on a unborn child so i went to my psychiatrist to ask for there help to come off it, they drew up a plan where i would gradually reduce my amount by 37.5mg each week. This was 6 wks or so ago and am now on day two of no venlafaxine what so ever.... but im suffering really bad withdrawal symptoms.... excruciating headaches, shaking and shivering, nausa. This evening i had a major breakdown and couldnt stop crying. I had to be prescribed diazepam! I feel worse as each day goes by, dont think i can do this for much longer if this carries on.... i really want to get off this drug but i dont know how long the withdrawal will last and when ill start to feel better, does anyone have any ideas??

I feel like im in living hell at the moment...i have been feeling so bad that ive been house bound now since i started this regeime, i just need to know when its goin to end.

13 likes, 509 replies

509 Replies

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  • maureen45116
    maureen45116

    Posted

    Have just begun the w/drawal process w/Venlafaxine. Was once w/drawn from another a-d overnight. Nothing could be worse than that. Been on it at a high dose -- 300mg -- for at least four years. Cut my night time dose in half three days ago. But my doctor expects to see me at 150mg in two weeks. Didn't think it would be a problem until reading this forum. Hhhmmmm. May have to rethink this schedule. Or at least be on the lookout for any symptoms. Thanks for the heads up. I'm sure there will be class action suits at some point.

  • judy1959
    judy1959

    Posted

    Hi. I haven't posted here in awhile. My first tapper from 225 to 187.5 was hell. The next one so so then next two no problem. Now I am going down from 75 to 37.5. I am not sleeping well. I have very loose bowels, had me up on and off all last night. I am exhausted. I just want this to be done. I keep telling myself that this too will pass but it is hard. I stopped on the way home and got oil of primrose and melatonin. I am trying not to think about the next tapper from 37.5 to none.
  • maureen45116
    maureen45116

    Posted

    You'll be fine, Judy1959. Slowly.

  • MissyJo
    MissyJo

    Posted

    Omega3 fish oil really helps the tapering but you'll need to take a Vitamin E capsule just prior to the Omega3 because ou rVit E is depleted after long term use on medication.

    This is the first time I've successfully tapered down without any withdrawal symptoms. I've tried many times over the years and couldn't even go down by 50mgs. This time round I've already gone from 450mg down to 375 in 33 days. I was on 450mg for around 5 years.

    I'm reducing by 37.5mg every 21 days.

    I've been taking 2 Omega 3 every morning and 2 more at lunch time.

    I've been following the advice on THE ROAD BACK DOT ORG

    There's light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be completely off all medication for the rest of my life in 6 months time and so far I haven't had any of the horrible withdrawal I've had in the past. I feel calm. It's a relief.

    Good luck.

  • maureen45116
    maureen45116

    Posted

    Personally, I don't think most GPs have the knowledge to handle these drugs. Maybe some do, but I'm dubious at best. I had a GP tell me that if I dyed my silver hair, my depression would cure itself. I believe that one can w/draw from Venlafaxine w/relatively few of the truly awful side effects. The trick is to go slowly and steadily. Right now, I'm trying one week intervals. It may take some people longer at a specific dosage. Follow your bodies' leads. On Tuesday, I reduced from 300mg to 225 mg with a few headaches, some minor body aches, some dizziness. Next Tuesday, I will go to 150mg. If I get sick, I'll have to decide whether to go back to 225mg for another week or to try to motor through the symptoms. Take heart. You can do this. Make all of your "others" sympathize and bring you tea. You aren't insane and you aren't dying. You can do this. The hardest part for me has been that months after w/drawing from an anti-depressant -- and I mean, months -- I'll still have slight w/drawl symptoms. But I recognize them for what they are. I'm taking 400 units of vitamin E daily, in two doses. I'm eating healthily. I'm getting plenty of sleep. Fortunately for me, I can sleep whenever my body asks for it. And what I believe may be most important -- I walk about 2 miles a day. I know that for me, exercise is crucial. I hate it, but I require it. MAMA -- call your oncologist. Have your blood checked, fill him in.

    Guys, if your GPs minimize or ignore your depression, see a psychiatrist who specializes in medication. Your symptoms are real, not imagined. They do not mean that you are insane even if -- as I do -- you start hearing things. They mean your poor tortured brain is struggling to determine what it needs. It will find out if you give it enough room. Keep the faith.

  • judy1959
    judy1959

    Posted

    I am feeling much better today. I do take the omega 3's and have just added oil of primrose. I also talked to the pharmacist yesterday and he's going to see if the compounding pharmacy can do some smaller doses so I won't have to go from 37.5 to nothing in two weeks. I think this is the best idea.

    I will check out the website you mentioned.

  • MissyJo
    MissyJo

    Posted

    Hi Judy,

    Try and get Omega3 that's not synthetic. You need to take a Vit E to make sure they Omega3 will have any affect. Omega3 helps immensely with any head side effects and with boosting mood.

    It would be good if the pharmacy can help you. Some sites say to crush your tablet up, weight it and take half but i have no idea how to do that. When I get to that stage I was thinking of cutting my tablet in half.

    They do say NeVeR to take out the balls out of the capsule and ingest them as its overdosing what should be a slow release???

    I agree with Maureen- the GPs can't possibly know about the medications because the information they get is from the pharmaceutical companies. Enough said.

    Good luck Maureen. 1 week is such a quick time to drop down. I read you should do each taper in 2 week intervals so I'm doing them at 3 week intervals just to be extra sure I won't have withdrawals since I've been on a high dose for such a long time. Today is my 34th day and I feel really good. My worst symptom was night sweats but even they aren't noticeable anymore. Fatigue was a symptom also but I've felt that even on high doses. I think I actually have less fatigue now thatim reducing. I feel calmer, more optimistic and more spritely.

  • judy1959
    judy1959

    Posted

    The capsules are the slow release, xr. For effexor you can take the balls out and swallow them, it is the balls that actually are the slow release part now the capsule. In fact the dosing instructions say you can sprinkle it over apple sauce and swallow it. That is the key, swallow never chew that is when you will overdose because chewing will release the med all at once.

    I'm in Canada and we can't get the tablets here anymore. Maybe the fact I've been taking the omega 3 helps that I haven't had a lot of head effects since the first taper.

    I am on a two week taper schedule seems to have worked good. I agree GPs as a rule have no idea what to do. My old one had no idea that's for sure. My new one is actually pretty good, she at least had. Clue what to do when the Effexor quit working. My old one had no clue when I had problems last year.

  • wanda05192
    wanda05192

    Posted

    I have been taking 75 mg caps for 8 Years mow and my caps always had the beads but my last prescription sounded different so I opened one and there are these little pills inside, about 4-5 of them. Has anyone else taken these type before?
  • DougieFresh
    DougieFresh

    Posted

    So very glad to find this thread, and its length and longevity are testament to how brutal the taper from this drug can be. I haven't had a chance to read through all the responses yet, but have already found some very valuable information. It also helps to know I'm not alone.

    I was on Effexor XR at 150MG for about 12 years. Any of these side effects sound familiar: extraordinary weight gain despite good diet and exercise; libido gone; development of severe sleep apnea; inability to feel emotions...the list goes on.

    About three months ago, I started my taper. My word, it's been a battle. Every dosage reduction has been met with flu-like symptoms, waking nightmares, extreme mood swings, desperate sadness, feelings of hopelessness, the brain zaps, vertigo. Amazing how nasty this stuff is. After a few weeks of each dosage reduction, however, I've started to regain some semblance of stability.

    Three days ago, I made the move to 37 MG a day. Yikes! Just want to hide from life. Am SO VERY ANXIOUS AND EXCITED to be rid of this drug, but know I need to take my time, and I will. Already, my libido has improved dramatically and I feel as though I'm beginning to lose weight (hate scales - won't step onto one til my pants are falling off). My emotions --- however raw they may be now, I am glad to see them return. To FEEL again, Lord, isn't that what we're all here for?! TWELVE YEARS OF THIS!

    Anyone else lose almost all long-term memories that should have formed while on this drug? My son is seven, and I can't really remember much of his life, and it kills me.

    What have been your experiences with the Benadryl? With the Fish Oil?

    Thank you all for being here...

    DougieFresh

  • maureen45116
    maureen45116

    Posted

    Benadryl is an antihistamine. It's prescribed for allergies. It's speedy. It will increase anxiety. Probably not a good self-fix while tapering. Good luck.
  • judy1959
    judy1959

    Posted

    I have no memory problems what so ever.
  • Be_Mindful
    Be_Mindful

    Posted

    I do'nt want to demonize Venlafaxine! It has been a life saver for me in the past! The problem lies in the prescribing and follow up. GP's do not have enough expertise in mental health disorders and even Psychiatrists may not really listen to how the patient feels and minimize the side effects. As far as coming off Venlafaxine goes I would make the following points:You have to be physically and mentally ready to begin the taper. Only you will know when is the right time. Do the taper REALLY SLOWLY ie)37.5 mg reductions, at least a month apart, preferably two! This way you give your body time to adjust between reductions and withdrawal symptoms should be manageable and pass quickly. Think positively, do not expect the process to be terrible!

    I have been on Lithium and Venlafaxine for 16 years. I am now withdrawing from Venlafaxine and have halved my dosage(350mg)in 3 months. For a week or so after each reduction I have no change, then I get flu like symptoms, diarrhoea and night sweats for three or four days, then it stops and I feel fine. I'm halfway now and determined to continue slowly. I take high dose Omega three, eat healthily and get plenty of exercise which all helps. I am beginning to feel less tired, more energetic and mentally alert which is fantastic! Good luck to you Dougie and all fellow warriors on this forum! X

  • maureen45116
    maureen45116

    Posted

    I am finally down to 32.5mg from 300mg. Symptoms have increased with this last step down. Additionally I lost my brother 4 days ago. I want to do nothing but cry. I have the shakes. Chills and flushes. My mood is very poor. My head hurts. I know that the drug related stuff is going to pass. I'm almost to the end of this withdrawal. I should feel some of my former optimism and determination. I just feel despondent and so sick of being mentally ill.
  • Be_Mindful
    Be_Mindful

    Posted

    Oh Maureen I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, you must be distraught. As you know you are now experiencing a normal grief reaction but unfortunately having to cope with the results of withdrawal at the same time. I understand that the very last bit of tapering is the worst so don't be in any hurry to get off the last 32.5 for a while yet. Please be kind to yourself! Cry, sleep if you can and remember how far you've come. I feel sure you will make a successful ending when you're stronger again, just keep looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. Love and a hug,

    Sue xx

    • maureen45116
      maureen45116 Be_Mindful

      Posted

      Be Mindful, I am finally getting through this stage of my withdrawal process.  I'm very proud of myself.  I am 25 days clear of my last Venlafaxin dose. Today is the first day I've felt remotely human. I had been tapering very slowly but ended up just eliminating the last two increments altogether.  It's been hell.  Genuine, roaring hell.  All of the side effects listed here in full measure.  Additionally, I stopped hormone replacement therapy when my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer so I've been dealing with that too.  On the up side, I am almost completely through with psychotropic drugs.  I still take .25mg of clonazipam for anxiety but will be cutting that in half next week.  When I finish w/drawing from that, I will be free of pyschotropic medication for the first time in more than 20 years.  The anti-depressants -- not just Venlafaxine -- never really worked or didn't work for very long.  Then the dosage would be increased.  I was never truely informed about the potential side effects and have, as a result, tardive dyskenesia -- permanent involuntary movement.  I am working very hard right now to deal w/my depression and anxiety by using mindful techniques.  The people I am working w/claim it is possible to deal w/depression and anxiety this way.  I am cautiously hopeful which is an improvement over the last 10 years.  If you are just beginning this process, please remember to treat yourself especially well.  Eat well.  Your body is going through so many changes.  At the very least, a well balanced diet will help you to stay healthy.  Get lots and lots of rest.  My sleep has been of very poor quality; I am coping w/that by getting more sleep than usual.  Take some exercise every day.  I know it's difficult but it's important to keep your strength up as much as possible.  Getting massages has helped me by reducing some of the physical pain.  This is all very, very difficult but you can do it.  One step at a time.  One minute at a time.  I look forward to my own freedom from these drugs.  Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences.  You provided valuable, first-hand information that shored me up when I felt so lost.
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