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Venlafaxine withdrawal - there is hope!

Posted , 71 users are following.

annasch
annasch

I've previously posted on another discussion thread about coming off venlafaxine - I was about to take the plunge myself - but rather than re-post on that thread I thought I'd start a new one to give my account of my experience and I hope a chance of light at the end of that awful tunnel for others.

Diagnosed with clinical depression many years ago most of my adult life has been spent on one or another SSRI - finally arriving at venlafaxine ten years ago as nothing much else was helping. At this time my mood was scraping the bottom of the barrel - emotionally I was empty & swung between desolate and merely oppresively sad.

I can't completely right off vnlfx - it did lift me initially and give me motivation, but unfortunately over the years the efficacy weakened and therefore the dose I was taking increased - until at the beginning of 2012 I was on 300mg daily.

As I progressed through last year it became obvious that not only was vnlfx not helping me in anyway, it was also producing some alarming side effects - these had crept in slowly over the years and I had been so caught up with my mental health I hadn't noticed. Forgetting a dose resulted in the most debilitating nausea, dry mouth and brain zaps - I began to fear going away and forgetting my medication or not being abe to get to the pharmacy for a prescription and running out. All the time I continued presenting myself as a contented, together, capable professional woman, and as any of us who suffer mental illness know, this 24/7 act is absolutely exhausting. By the autumn of this year I was sleeping in huge chunks. The sedative effect of the drug combined with being asleep being an excellent way of hiding from my problems, I found it all to easy to succumb to sleep. I'd sleep for ten hours solid at night, then wake for a few hours in the morning, feel sleepy and give in - only to wake again briefly during the evening before the cycle began again. Luckily working a shift pattern as well meant I could get away with this, but my non-working hours were spent asleep & hiding from the world.

I don't know why the lightening bolt hit, but once day I became aware that this was no quality of life & went to see my GP about withdrawal from vnlfx. I must emphasise here that my GP has been wonderful during the entire time I have known her, and I'm aware that I'm lucky to be in this situation. She was aware of anecdotal evidence of vnlfx withdrawal syndrome and we made a plan for a very slow dose decrease - suffering such marked side effects when late taking my meds meant that we were expecting a tough ride.

I cannot emphasise too much just how important it is to go slowly slowly slowy, and to reduce your dosages by tiny amounts. Each time I cut down too quickly, or reduced the dose too quickly I'd be pole-axed by side effects and mental disturbance. A couple of times I did think about giving up, and remaining on vnlfx for life - but the thought of returning to that hideous emotional no-man's land was enough to motivate me to pick up & go back to the previous 'good' dose again & persevere. The key stage was probably getting down to a quarter of a 37.5mg tablet (told you the dose reduction needs to be minute!) and then my doctor adding in fluoxetine 20mg for two weeks before I took the plunge and took my last ever dose of vnflx. That was over six weeks ago and the relief I feel now is immeasurable. I now have clarity of thought and emotion to the extent that I can't ever remember having before. Don't get me wrong, I'm still clinically depressed, there is no magic wand, but I feel just like I have been released from venlafaxine taking my mind prisoner. I don' t think that unless you have experienced this drug first hand you can possibly imagine just how much it really ***ks with your mind - absolutely terrifying.

Key to my success has been managing to find a therapist that by some fluke I have a superb connection with and weekly sessions with her have been more valuable to me than any drug ever has. I expect to be seeing her for a very long time to come - to reiterate i'm by no means 'cured' but am happy at last to be back in control of my mind.

Happy to pass on further details of what worked for me on my withdrawal - I kept a diary, helps you have faith to get through the bad days - but please don't expect miracles, I know that just because it's worked for me it may not suit anyone else.

But - please do have hope! I was one of the many in despair on here a few months back not ever being able to see a way to get free of this hideous drug, but I've done it, so it can be done

xxxx

14 likes, 115 replies

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  • isobel08036
    isobel08036 annasch

    Posted

    Hi Anna, I'm coming of vensir xl 150mg doc reduced to 75mg for one week then every other day . So I'm now starting seroxat 10mg then to be brought up to 20mg. My mind is all over the place, I feel sick, have brain zaps. Also all I want to do is cry. How long will I feel this way, I'm honestly finding it so hard to cope . You done it what meds are you on now ?

  • Sibyenna
    Sibyenna annasch

    Posted

    I'm so glad to have come across your post, I've been taking vnflx for ten years and lately I've been so exhausted, sleeping my life away.

    I went to my doctor yesterday and took my partner because I've complained about my all consuming tiredness a few times and I felt my doctor wasn't taking me seriously.

    My partner helped get my point across I can't live like this and she said maybe the issue is my medications.

    My initial thought about coming off it was terror, I get mild side effects if I miss a dose and they aren't very nice and I remember the state I was in before vnflx made life bareable.

    Reading your post has given me a bit of confidence that I can do this and get out the other side, I've been so greatful not to be suicidal or suffering manic panic attacks that it didn't occur to me the medications could also cause problems.

    I'm on 300mg M/R daily and have been for about three years, I know I'll face some problems with my mental health coming off but just to know it's achievable is a boost to my confidence to get through this.

  • Kphdrummer
    Kphdrummer annasch

    Posted

    Hi there. Wow! I am coming off of it also. I defeated oxycontin in 2015, this is horrible.
    • SuzyD
      SuzyD Kphdrummer

      Posted

      Hi, I was wondering how you are doing? Have you been able to come off the Effexor ?

      thanks, Sue

  • SuzyD
    SuzyD annasch

    Posted

    Hi, I've been on Effexor for 10 years for depression. 

    Ive gained a lot of weight, I'm tired, sleeping too much and since I no longer am feeling depressed I decided to try coming off this med. 

    Last year I went down to 75mg and this year 37.5. 

    I was able to take it every other day, then came off 6 weeks ago. 

    I was physically ill for one month, so dizzy that I couldn't drive, upset stomach, very nauseous with diarrhea. My body is finally recovering but now I'm feeling extreme anxiety, I've never felt this anxious in my life. I have clonazepam to take 1 .5 mg pill 3 times a day, but it's not touching the anxiety. My family Dr. is on vacation for the month of July, so now I'm feeling quite alone. My husband is being lovely and luckily my only commitment is volunteering one day a week (which is good when I can get there, it has been a good distraction for my mind). 

    Im looking for help to deal with the anxiety, especially since I don't have much to be anxious about. It's the side effect from coming off Effexor. I hope my summer isn't totally spoiled. I would hate to go back on this drug after all my hard work coming off it. 

    I also have chronic back pain, and unfortunately the pain Dr's put me on opioids. 

    Ive since come off morphine and that wasn't fun to come off either! Im finding that Effexor is harder to come off than the opioids. It makes me mad that the pharmaceutical companies tell Doctors that this drug is not addictive, and are using it to treat people with arthritis and migraines. 

    Along with Clonazepam, I'm taking omega 3/6/9, calcium/magnesium, Rhodiola and complex B vitamins. Are there any other supplements that might help this anxiety? I've tried St. John's Wort, but I think it makes me more anxious. 

    Any help ell is appreciated. 

  • danielle73487
    danielle73487 annasch

    Posted

    I am really hoping to get some support and advice.

    Was on 300 effexor following multiple hospital visits for mental breakdown.

    1 month ago reduced to 225.

    4 days ago reduced further to 150.

    I currently feel like I'm in hell. My symptoms are constant dizzy spells, brain zaps about every 30 seconds, feeling outside of my own body, crying on and off randomly all day, no sleep for 2 nights, constant sweating and shaking, dropping things I pick up, just to name a few.

    I just feel so alone in this, like noone understands and I don't know when it will all stop or if I can keep going on anymore.

    Any advice from anyone would be so precious right now as I have nowhere to turn.

    • SuzyD
      SuzyD danielle73487

      Posted

      Hi there is a Facebook group for support and advice when coming off Effexor; I have found it very helpful and don't feel quite so alone. 

      Right now ive been off the drug for 10 weeks, and am starting to have more good days than bad. You may be tapering too quickly, you might try coming off the drug much slower. 

      Good luck and take care,

      sue

  • jayne01793
    jayne01793 annasch

    Posted

    Hi how r u doing now.im on 150mg and want to get off it.any advice.
  • ple
    ple annasch

    Posted

    Hi Annasch

    Just reading your experience it is exactly what I’m going through.

    I’m on day 12 if no veneflexine, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

    When in your experience do u start to feel ‘normal’ what ever that is. I’m sweating my head is all over the place with brain zaps and the insomnia is awful. Just wondering how it was for you. I was on 300mg too.....dished our like smarties in my experience, had no follows up with gp just handed out more and more until I thought right I’m getting my life back!

    Thanks for listening!

  • christine11282
    christine11282 annasch

    Posted

    Please help,  I want to comeoff Venlafaxine and am scared as forgot to get px in time and have gone 3days without it.     I feel like I want to die.

    I have an horrendous headache, nausea, sleeping all the time and committing, feel like I am brain dead .

    • Purpledobermann
      Purpledobermann christine11282

      Posted

      Get in touch with your prescribing doctor and devise a plan if you both agree that you are ready to come off. Dropping venlafaxine rapidly is dangerous and counterproductive. Depending on your dosage a proper taper can take as little as 6 months and as long as a couple of years.
    • SuzyD
      SuzyD christine11282

      Posted

      Hi Christine, can you call the pharmacy and ask for a few days of Effexor? Or can your Dr. call in a new prescription ? You probably won’t feel like driving, being in withdrawal. If you lived close to me, I could get you some, but I’m sure that’s not the case. Coming off Effexor is very dangerous, you need to taper very slowly. Good luck, and take good care of yourself. ❤️

       

  • Keep_trying
    Keep_trying annasch

    Posted

    Hi just read your post in March 2018 . Wondered is you still look on the site

    Would love an undated please

  • she61241
    she61241 annasch

    Posted

    Wow all the things that you have mentioned I have gone through I am currently on 18.75 bridging with Prozac I can tell you that I have been on this drug for approximately 15 years and you are so right it just numbs you I was tired of being just complacent all the time since I've been off the drug I am more emotional not on a negative level but I just feel more compassion and I have more feelings it's the weirdest thing it's like I've stepped back in time the other side effect I have that is quite negative are the body aches I'm 50 years old and I feel like I'm 70 some mornings thank you so much for your post any additional Insight would be helpful

  • lisa_03237
    lisa_03237 annasch

    Posted

    how long did it take you to get from 37.5 to zero? and did Effexor give you nightmares and heavy dreams? ....(one more q) ..and does Effexor make one tired and sedated?

    i am on 37.5 and I feel tired and get horrible haunting dreams 

    • she61241
      she61241 lisa_03237

      Posted

      I am not quite at zero right now, I have titrated from 37.5 to 18.75 ,which I will take for the next two weeks and then I will be off Effexor totally .

      I can tell you this I have been on it for a very long time and it has dulled my senses. I feel like I've missed 14 to 15 years of my life . Since titrating down I feel more alive ,more emotional in a positive aspect, more engaged and more focused! I have been bridged as well with 10 mg of Prozac only to alleviate the physical symptoms such as the brain zaps the nausea the headaches Etc I will take the Prozac every second day toward the end of coming off the 18.75 I have never felt better in my life. Effexor did its job back when I needed it, but it was just so hard to come off of because of the physical side effects. I couldn't miss work, I didn't enjoy spending my days in bed even with one dose missed!!

      I think it's an excellent drug as a last resort, but certainly not one that you would go on initially. I would suggest trial and error on other drugs for anxiety and depression and use Effexor as the very very very very last resort to answer your questions no nightmares, and no sedation that I can remember when I initially started but at 37.5 you would have to give it at least 4 to 6 weeks I am not so sure what you're treating but if it's anxiety perhaps try something else or even if it is depression if all else fails and nothing else works then use the Effexor any antidepressant will give you side effects and those usually will diminish after 4 to 6 weeks

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