Withdrawal success!

Posted , 20 users are following.

I'd been on Venlafaxine for 2.5 years and came to the conclusion with my GP that I was only on it now as the withdrawal symptoms of even missing a dose meant I was staying on them. I came down to 75mg twice a week over a year and three weeks ago I was ready to come off them. I had read a lot if information on forums and I was pretty scared and apprehensive.

i did have brain zaps for 5 days and bad vertigo for about two weeks. I had insomnia and I was very tearful over the slightest thing. I was unable to drive for two weeks.

I took travel sickness tablets when I needed them and they really did help - despite what the pharmacist said!! I also started taking fish oil and vitamin B, again , seemed to really help.

its three weeks today since I took m y last tablet. I feel wonderful. For the first time in 2.5 years I feel like I am seeing things though my own eyes. I smile a lot more and I really appreciate everything in my life. I look forward to things and I enjoy the company of friends and family.

i still get the odd bit of vertigo, maybe a few seconds every few days and I still have some insomnia. Others than that, I'm off it and so very relieved I am. When I went on Venlafaxine, my GP didn't tell me how awful it could be coming off it.

good look to everyone coming off it. Put your mind to it and you will do it. Just allow yourself time off work and be prepared to be housebound for a while.

 

5 likes, 104 replies

104 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi,

    Just came across this discussing when I was reading about others experiences of withdrawal. How is everyone now? I'm feeling awful every day and just hoping it passes soon xx

  • Posted

    This is my first time on any forum. I signed up because I'm tapering off of Effexor XR and I have hit such a desperate point. I am on around 55mg now. I can deal with the anger and irritation. I've had diarrhea, an upset stomach, and body aches which I can deal with also, but I seem to have new symptoms which seem unbearable. I am uncontrollably emotional at all times that I am awake (which is not a lot) I sleep all day. I feel like I could sleep straight through to next month, and with this new "feeling like crying scenario" I wish I just could. Any words of comfort would be amazing. I feel alone, and as though I am going crazy.

    • Posted

      Hey Jessica

      A starter - you're not going crazy smile

      I"m down to half a 37.5 every couple of days now but my God it's taken a long time.

      You just have to give yourself time and maybe take the tablet more often and do it even slower? I know how annoying it is, cos you just want to be off it and you feel like a prisoner to the tablets - but it's better to come off in a way that makes you feel it's more bearable.

      I'm here if you need to chat - I know it can feel lonely and hardly anyone understands. That's why I joined this site too.

      Take care xx

    • Posted

      Thank you so much roxanneea. Fortunately today has been a good day, but that just makes me fearful for tomorrow 😬

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