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Venlafaxine withdrawal serious problem

Posted , 11 users are following.

ricardo31
ricardo31

Hello!

I've been on venlafaxine for about 2 years, taking a dose of 150mg per day. I used to take the generic pills which are cheaper. To be honest I didn't even know there was an 'original' one, named Effexor, until last friday.

When I changed town I continued the treatment with another doctor, and he suggested i came off the drug. I thought I'd try, and for the first month I reduced from 150mg to 75mg. Nothing wrong there. Then I took another step and reduced from 75 to 37,5mg and in the fourth day I collapsed.

I had this breakdown, feeling all kind of weird symptoms: dizzyness, dry mouth, excess sleepness, confusion, mental oblivions (memory lapses), total apathy, total loss of libido. 

I got really scared and tried to go back on my own since I was off town and couldnt talk to the doctor.

I took for 3 days the 150 mg pills but that didnt help. I consulted another doctor and he suggested to take a 107,5 mg dose (75+37,5) for 20 days and then restore the original 150 mg dose afterwards.

It's been 6 days since I started taking this dose and I still feel awful! I feel like I'm not the same anymore!!! It's the strangest thing ever. I had to ask for a job-absent license cause I can't work in these conditions.

One other thing is that a moved from the generic pills to the Effexor (from Pfizer - Wyeth) - the doc suggested that - and I don't know if that is making things worse...

I feel really akward, useless, like my brain is in slow motion. I've been thinking about goin' cold turkey since taking back venlafaxine didnt help.

I appreciate any messages. Sorry for the english, I'm Brazilian and the head also feels awful.

2 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

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  • Lostliz
    Lostliz ricardo31

    Posted

    I am in the UK.  Been on 75mg for about a year.  Last week half the dose and this week 25mg sertraline and as of yesterday evening I am in a mess sad dizziness sicky feeling, headache fuzzy and brain zapping making me feel awful and I have stuff to do 
    • ricardo31
      ricardo31 Lostliz

      Posted

      Hold on there Lostliz, you`re gonna feel better sooner than expected
    • lisa03229
      lisa03229 Lostliz

      Posted

      Hope the horrible feelings pass Liz. You are doing well. Try and make time for you (which is easier said than done as well I know....) & keep cosy on this cold night. Take care.
    • anne240
      anne240 Lostliz

      Posted

      Hey there.  I do hope the Sertraline makes you feel better soon.  Your body will suffere withdrawals from the other medication, and has to get used to the new one, so you may feel poorly for a little while yet.

      Hopefully you will soon be able to tell us you are feeling a whole lot better.

      Take care, and keep us informed how you are.

    • leanne61579
      leanne61579 anne240

      Posted

      I agree with the body feeling bad for awhile and just riding out the storm.  It isn't easy but then we all have this site to help each other.
  • Lostliz
    Lostliz ricardo31

    Posted

    I am using paracetamol and iboprufen to deal with the fuzzy issues as my head feels heavy, fuzzy and foggy.  That seems to help a bit I just want it to get better so I can function
    • leanne61579
      leanne61579 Lostliz

      Posted

      I too used the iboprufen and it did help although anything was appreciated when you feel like that.
  • lucy159
    lucy159 ricardo31

    Posted

    Also...i sometimes feel really sick/nausious...i take a travel sickness pill and that can help.
  • Lostliz
    Lostliz ricardo31

    Posted

    Been to see a nicer more understanding doctor today and it turns out i should have been advised to cross taper (i was asking) and stop the venlafaxine slower and start the other slower so yes to everyone who said i should have done this over a longer period but I listened to the doctor, silly me, oh by listening to this one am i being sillier?  I dont think so as this one said things that make more sense.  anyway she gave me co-cocodamol and anti sickness tablets and advised me to eat little and often today
  • Lostliz
    Lostliz ricardo31

    Posted

    An update Fromthe very desperate me...... Been feeling better hour by hour today have a new GP due to this being the second time in 4 years my old GP has put me in a bad place. On the whole it's goodbye to venlafaxine for good.

    for anyone wanting advice.... Get anti sickness medicine, take loratadine, paracetamol and iboprofen for headaches and cocodamol to help head pain and sleep x 

    • anne240
      anne240 Lostliz

      Posted

      It s 17 months since I stopped Venlafaxine.  Doing quite well.  Iam glad you are feeling better.  I never want to go backj on either.  Hope things will be back to "normal" for you soon.  Well done.
    • Lostliz
      Lostliz anne240

      Posted

      Thank you so much Anne I am feeling normal today. Staying on the half dose of sertraline till I meet my new doctors next week hopefully 
    • anne240
      anne240 Lostliz

      Posted

      Oh gosh my typing is so bad.  Glad you are feeling better.  Good news. 

      Hope you find the new doctor helpful.  I take lots of supplements and hope I never have to go back onto anti depressants.  If went back on Venlafaxine would have to stay on it as I could not go through all those months of withdrawal again.

      Take care

    • plainden
      plainden Lostliz

      Posted

      hi,why take loratadine ?what does it help with?
  • jaye76671
    jaye76671 ricardo31

    Posted

    I been 4 months off n get still what your discribing..dont feel human at all.. all over the play an try to b a mum to 2 boys very hard..kerp intouch if u find anythink that helps..
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