Venlafaxine withdrawal serious problem
Posted , 11 users are following.
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
ricardo31
Posted
I’ve tried fish oil, vitamins, ginger, none of that worked.
Are there any other natural methods to cope with withdrawal?
Thanks
lucy159 ricardo31
Posted
plainden ricardo31
Posted
el_shiz ricardo31
Posted
ricardo31 el_shiz
Posted
I'm afraid to have definitive brain damage from that crappy drug. Just google 'effexor brain damage' and you'll see what I'm talking about. I feel hopelessly...
anne240 ricardo31
Posted
ricardo31 anne240
Posted
Today I took my mom’s dog for a walk and felt awful! People say how exercising will improve your condition – not mine! The weather didn’t make it easier, though.
Didn’t you have memory issues back when withdrawing from venlafaxine? My short time memory is gone for good.
There’s so little info on venlafaxine in Portuguese language I decided to create a blog and write about my experience in it. People will think twice before taking it after reading my posts; not that I damn the drug as the worst crap on Earth, but isn’t it a devil’s pill? I also hope people will learn to wean off of it the right way, in small doses.
anne240 ricardo31
Posted
Yes I expect you feel you have had depression for a long time. I was off work for months and months because of depression.
Withdrawing from Venlafaxine was not difficult because I took it very slowly, and had no problems at all. I had done it cold turkey once before, but that was difficult. Certainly no memory problems either time.
Venlafaxine helped me a lot, but I know withdrawal can be difficult if you do not do it slowly. It is not crap if it helps people with their depression. Sounds like it did not suit you at all and you had side efects, which happens with some people.
Yes just withdraw slowly by small amounts at a time.
lucy159 ricardo31
Posted
ricardo31
Posted
Can anyone who's ever taken it spare a word?