venlafaxine withdrawal

[rikardo3m]

2005 i was diagnosed with a major depression. first we tried zoloft 50mg, then 100mg then 150mg and the results were not good, so my MD decided to change it to effexorXR 150mg. 2007 drop the dosage to 75mg. and last month i started 37,5mg.

I dropped effexor xr 37,5 mg 4 days ago and i'm having one of the most horrible experiences of my life. It seems a strong flu, nevertheless i have no fever. I feel disoriented and with some balance alterations. i'm always sleepy. but the worst part is that for 4 days i'm not earing well of my right side, this also aggravates my balance and the sensation of electical shocks on the sides of my head and arms. I would like to know if all of these symptons are typical of effexor withdrawal and for how long do they persist.

also, i've read that omega 3 oils and vitamins of B complex helps during the "hangover" period. is that true.

Thank you so much

yours truly directly from Portugal

[lulu_the_cat]

hi Maddie,

wow, so happy for you, think it is the taking (of 10 month) time to go w/d free
when I am finally off (and after a few weeks without anything) I will try 5HTP or similar to accomplish for the low seratonin

the headache/migraine never went away but don't want to mess with my brain (that's why I will patiently wait with 5HTP) more than needed

[4Maddie44]

I withdrew from Venlafaxine over 10 months with my doctors advice.  Did not get any withdrawal symptoms.  Now six weeks since I stopped, and beginning to get headaches.  You could be right some of you when you say the anti depressants we take can affect our long term brain function.

I did really well on Venlafaxine for 9 years.  I did not feel like a zombie at all.  I felt really well.  Got rid of my depression, anxiety and panics and I lived a full life.  Only side effect was weight gain.  I  did not find the withdrawal hard at all as I took it really slowly.  I think these headaches I am now getting is my brain getting used to being without seratonin and adjusting to being drug free.  

[dwt7let]

Hi Jaye
I was on venlafluxine for 12 years and came off cold turkey Dr's fault, I was on 150mg's. Don't recommend C/T beta blockers will help with the adrenaline rush - palp's, ibs, panic, agitation. After I also came off citalopram and dolsulipin. I have been off venlafluxine 3 years in Apriland dolsulipin 2 years in April by sleep is still affected. These drugs damage our bodies and we have to re-learn how to deal with life but its worth it not to be a zombie. I have nearly finished a course and I am not constantly in bed. Look up CITA on web they will help you come off very slowly Dr's bring us off too quickly. Good Luck Lorraine

[lulu_the_cat]

hi,

was on venlafaxine for at least 5 years (others before)
came of tramadol recently
still need the small amount of venla or withdrawal too heavy to bear

when I miss a dose its ok until I miss another one - still on 2 x 37.5mg per day (well I break a 75mg pill in half) - tapering down before and now was never really bad - it's this finishing part I struggle big time - will try slowly tapering down more

agree with you regards feeling better without them
they helped me too somehow at the beginning and I was glad to have them but down the line it's poison

[jaye75]

I just wanted to update , I've never had any pills for 30 days now nd wat a difference to my life I'm much more motivated and balanced then wen I was on venlafaxine , best thing I've done although I do feel I've missed 4/5 yrs on feeling this good due to the cloud which these pills give u so feeling some what cheated in a way ! I get cravings for the drug some days, and think this will last a while as 12yrs is a long time to be on them but there's not a chance I wud take them again even if I did relaspe I wud do things totally different there's other ways of dealing with mental illness and I'm a very strong person now. Please dnt give up the fight if u want to come off venlafaxine it really is worth it and there is light at the end of the tunnel ,just stick out those bad 4/6 days nd your there :) goodluck again to all.

[jaye75]

I'm in the middle of withdrawal I've been taking venlafaxine for 12 yrs and I agree with some of u my depression was caused through traumas and the doctor would quite happily prescribe more when I didn't actually need them the past 3 yrs but I've turned a corner in life and made a lot of changes what are good. I'm feeling like s*** at present,but I'm sticking to it as I don't want to be taking these drugs for the rest of my life I'm annoyed that I wasn't told about the really bad withdrawal symptoms and that its took 6mnths to get where I am as I was on 150mg then went on 75mg for 3mnths then down to 37.5mg for 2nd a half months and I decided to half the 37.5mg pill nd took this dose for 2wks,but I'm now on my 2nd day nd I've had halluciations both seein nd hearing,constant nausea,heartburn,heaviness behind my eyes headaches,limbs feel week,iredness,hyperness,crying for no reason,can't concentrate for too long just feeling like I'm going crazy. I'm taking diazepam 2mg to take a little edge off but still feel abso rotten. Determand to stick this out no matter what I believe anyone can do this is they really want but only on your doctors advice I wouldn't reccomend stopping on a whim! Goodluck to all those who are trying to get off this horrible drug. I know it helped me emmenslly when I needed it,but to go through all this to get off it is beyond a joke!