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

[Hensley258]

No doubt that the withdrawl effect from all AD medications is real. For me I actually had worse withdrawl from discontinuing Lexapro than Effexor.

Effexor and Cymbalta seem to be the worst withdrawl for most people.
I think the reason a lot of people don't leave AD medication is simply because there is no cure for Clinical Depression and if properly diagnosed then people need to stay on AD maintenence medication for life. To stop medication (If you really have a depressive dissorder) will only result in the Depression returning.

I think the main problem is that AD medication is WAY over prescribed now days. Often these medications are prescribed to people that have good reason to be down and depressed. Medication is not the best way to treat "situational types" of depression.

In fact AD medications were never even designed to be used by anyone that is not suffering from severe forms of Depression caused by a chemicaly depressed brain.

It's really sad that a lot of doctors dispense these AD meds like their handing out Pez.
They never stop for a minute to consider, "maybe my patient is depressed now because of his divorce or because he lost a loved one."

These drugs were never intended for that usage. They are only for people that actually have depression due to a chemical abnormality in the brain.

[rikardo3m]

thanks.

someone tolf me yhe first two weeks are the most difficult, and some take a whole year to return to normal.

Why is this drug still prescribed? i agree this drug help me a lot, but the hangover is terrible. i even tought on going back to effexor. that´s why so many people don't leave AD medications. I'm gonna a make it. despite the withdrawal symptoms I'm incredibly confidant and i'm leaving AD forever.  

[Hensley258]

I see. Yea, even with a slow taper Effexor can be a real bear to stop.

I was able to transition from Effexor to another AD medication, but stopping all together is really tough. It may take several weeks before the withdrawl symptoms fade.

[rikardo3m]

i stoped AD medication!

[Hensley258]

Are you swapping Effexor for another medication or are you going off all AD medication?

[rikardo3m]

i did 37,5mg for a whole month. My MD said it was enough. The only thing no one told me was that this seems to be the hardest withdrawal concerning anti depressives. i understand that everyone respond diferently to withdrawal still one needs some references.. how long is a while? 2 weeks? 2 months? how long does the worst phase take? thanks