venlafaxine withdrawal- please help!!
Posted , 169 users are following.
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
daria90 tg
Posted
I don't know what to do anymore.
Been on 37.5 mg since May 25th and it's not getting better. I'm constantly tired, nauseus, I don't have any appetite. My brain feels foggy, my muscles hurt.
I'm very scared, it feels like it won't ever get back to normal.
Did anyone here feel this way? I'm also crying a lot, and I feel angry most of the time. Very emotional in general.
anne42928 daria90
Posted
Sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. I'm now on day 4 of no venlafaxine and even though I still feel awful, it is improving. I started way too quickly and had to up the dosage again and then reduce really slowly until I was taking literally a crumb. Tiredness and brain zaps are still a huge problem but somebody on here advised staying properly hydrated and it's been a lifesaver. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere now. As horrible as it is, I keep telling myself that my brain and body are detoxing and it will go eventually. This is obviously a very powerful drug and coming off will be hell but it'll be worth it. I hope you can get as much rest as you can and look after yourself.
When I first started weaning off I can honestly say I felt so bad I didn't think I'd be able to continue. Perhaps you might feel better by upping your dose and reduce again really, really slowly.
shan24646 anne42928
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anne42928 shan24646
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shan24646 anne42928
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anne42928 shan24646
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shan24646 daria90
Posted
Suggest you check with your psych if your anxiety could be back (sometimes if you stop before your seretonin levels are restored the anxiety could return and that too with vengence).
I am planning to see a psych here in the UK and then try another SSRI rather than Venlafaxine this time (i tried Lexapro back in 2014 but it was not very effective for me).
mrbeese tg
Posted
Hi all
I am a month in to reducing my dose; had a few 'brain zaps' & hot sweats, but not too bad. However, for the past 2 days, I have had an odd (not too painful) headache on the left at the back of my head. I wondered if any of you experienced this, please?
Good luck to you all. x
LetmeHelp tg
Posted
I hope you read this. I think this post will help you
I was on effexor for a year when I almost lost my vision and had several cracked teeth not to mention other horrible side effects. Every time I decided to stop, the horrible withdrawal symptoms were showing up within 24 hours. I was feeling hopeless and at the age of 35 my health was worst that someone 90 only because of effexor. I had absolutely no medical conditions before starting this medication
Now this is how I was finally able to quit without ANY withdrawal symptoms. I was on 75mg. I dod my research and told my doctor I wanted to stop taking effexor and needed to use Prozac effexor bridge. Google it if you don't know what it is...the doctor put me on 20mg Prozac. I was taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and 1 effexor 75 mg as usual in the afternoon for 2 weeks. 2 weeks was enough time for Prozac to be in my blood stream. Then after 2 weeks I went from 75mg of effexor to 37.5. So I was taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and 1 effexor 37.5 for another 2 weeks...after that 2 weeks, I was just taking 1 Prozac 20mg in the morning and NO effexor. Its been 2 weeks and no headaches or any other withdrawal symptoms. I'm planning on not taking Prozac in 2 more weeks. If you have tried everything else like I did, do what I did. I know it's the only way. I tried everything else. I know how bad the pain is and that's why I'm writing on effexor blogs to help. You can do it
mrbeese tg
Posted
Thanks, tg!
I am much better now, thanks. The 'funny headache' turned out to be an ear infection and I am just finishing a course of antibiotics!!!
Many thanks for taking the time & trouble to reply.
Brians21 tg
Posted
I am having weird issues after reducing from 75mgs to 33mgs of venaflaxine. I thought that I had flu initially. Severe headaches especially in the morning and feeling weak an out of sorts. But no other system's of a cold or flu. Could it be withdrawn?
anne42928 tg
Posted
Hi, I just read your post. It does very much sound like withdrawal, although you may want to talk to your doctor. I had this when I reduced my dosage initially. It felt to me like I had reduced too quickly so I increased slightly and then started a slow decrease again. It takes patience, but the symptoms for me were far less severe. I am now a whole year completely free of venlafaxine so it definitely can be done. I still get the occasional 'head shock' but other than that nothing.
Guest tg
Posted
Hello. I thought I would leave advice on how I have came off Venlafaxine 150mg tablets.
I am a 23 year old female, and have been taking Venlafaxine for a year for depression - initially 37.5mg which gradually increased to 150mg. My depressive symptoms stopped and I am in a better place mentally. I wanted to come off of my tablets because of the bad withdrawals I was experiencing if I didn’t take them at the same time everyday (ie I forgot to put tablets in my bag for work). I have listed tips that helped me through the process of coming off my antidepressants - I hope my advice is useful. I have listed my reduction regime below.
1. Do not try and come off antidepressants until you are in a good place mentally. It is a difficult process, which will be made worse if you are not mentally able to deal with the stress of it. Have your symptoms reduced? Is there remaining issues that could be worked through via talking therapy? Are you aware of your triggers, early warning signs and how to manage bad days?
2. Speak to your GP or Psychiatrist. Reduce your dose GRADUALLY. I cannot stress how important it is to take things slowly - you will thank yourself in the long run. Your Gp will provide advice on a tailored reduction regime, and can signpost/refer into further supports. Make sure you have enough tablets/capsules, and review appointments.
3. Purchase a pill cutter - it helps to be accurate in reducing your dose of tablet. If you are using capsules; follow your doctors advice on how to open the capsule and take a specific number of “grains” of the medication.
4. Tell your family/partner/friends. Side effects of withdrawing from Venlafaxine can be distressing, it helps to let your supports know what you are going through.
5. Carry a small purse of medications with you at all times incase or minor withdrawal side effects. I would recommend; ibuprofen and paracetamol for headaches, Imodium for diarrhoea, anti-sickness tablets for nausea, pharmacy bought sleeping pills for insomnia (used responsibly and SHORT TERM due to addictive properties)
6. Keep a strict routine in regards to eating, sleeping, exercise and self care. Maintaining your routine will have a positive effect on your mental state. If you are having a particularly bad day and can’t motivate yourself to wash - dry shampoo, toothpaste and wipes/deodorant. If you are struggling to find the energy to exercise; short walks may be an option.
7. Carry emergency contact numbers with you incase of a mental health emergency or crisis. Ie GP, helplines, crisis team.
8. Keep track of your reduction regime in a diary (or phone notes) and treat yourself at the point of every dose reduction - this will motivate you during the difficult process. Your diary can also help to remind you why you chose to reduce your antidepressant, and help to reflect on your good/bad days.
9. Have a plan for your bad days. Be aware of the signs that you are not feeling physically/mentally well and act accordingly. I tend to speak to family, and carry out self care when I recognise my early warning signs.
10. Stay motivated. You can do this. If at any point you feel you can’t go on any longer or feel suicidal, contact your doctor and let people know. There are always options for slower reduction, or adding Fluoxetine for a short period to lessen bad side effects.
andrew666666 tg
Posted
I know how you feel and it just terrible, I have just came of Venlafaxine and my panic disorder symptoms have got worse which I never thought was possible, the strange headaches are very weird echo feeling inside my head and any sort of noise irritates my head and makes me severely dizzy.
I also have chest pain, flutters, nausea, shaking, jelly legs, feeling of severe doom, etc etc, too many to mention, but the Venlafaxine did not really help any way.
I am glad I wasn't on a higher dose..