Off Venlafaxine but still getting zaps!

[GADMidlands]

Hi all. I've tapered of venlafaxine from 75mg to zero over 6 weeks. I've been on it for years peaking at 300mg pday. I've been at zero for a week and still getting zaps when I move my eyes, just like i did in the past when not taking the full dose for a day or two. Has anyone else who has done this have any feedback on how long it takes for this to stop?

The main reason I did this is because I have REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder. I'm trying and succeeding in reducing the effects with melatonin. Cutting the venlafaxine has also helped. I'm managing my anxiety ok without it and really don't want to start taking it again.

Thanks

[Arbi]

Hello GADMidlands,

Seeing that you’ve posted this question a month ago I don’t think my answer would be useful for you... but I’ve been off of Venlafaxine for almost 10 days now and I still get the brain zaps.

I’ve read that the brain zaps can continue happening for a while.

I also get these crazy anxiety attacks and have quite some dramatic breakdowns almost every day. Do you also experience something like this?

I really hope that you’re not getting the brain zaps anymore and are not suffering from heavy withdrawal symptoms.

You’re a few weeks further down this path, do you mind sharing your experience coming off Venlafaxine with me?

If you decide not to share, or even don’t feel like writing, no worries. Just know that you’re not alone. At least someone else in the world knows how it is to take 300 mg of Venlafaxine and try to come off of it.

Take care,

Arbi

[GADMidlands in reply to Arbi]

Hi Arbi,

Thanks very much for the message. I hope you are moving forward and manage to come off completely.

The past few weeks have been quite tough. The eye zaps have stopped thankfully though. My mood has been quite low and I've been very edgy and a bit aggresive. I've been surprised as i thought 75mg was doing pretty much nothing. But clearly it was and I've realised I was still under a bit of a warm blanket with it. Coming off has turned the contrast back up on the world and I didn't like it. That all said, with a very patient and understanding partner and some willpower and mindfulness, I am now getting used to the spiky world again. I'm not experiencing any anxiety or depression which is the main thing. My sleeping has improved too, though i do take melatonin to help. All in all I am glad to be off them. They saved my life without a doubt but it was time to stop.

All the very best

Mike

[ReelLife]

I hope you are doing well and this thread has been very informative for me. I have been on this med for about 5 years and I’m up to 225mg I would love to try coming off it but still not sure. My depression was bad and it has helped me but I hate the side affects.

[Xpression519]

Hey GAD, thanks a lot for sharing and letting us know the brain zaps DO go away eventually. I have been lowering from 150mg to 60mg currently with mild side effects. Goal is to reduce 10mg every 3 weeks until im off of it.

The problem ive found on lower dose than 75mg is that my energy went to the can. I feel way sleepy and dull. Care sharing a bit about your process in this aspect?

Thanks!

[Tealribbon]

Hi GAD....I know everyone is different, but just s heads up, after being on Effexor for about 3 years I decided to get off. And very slowly, but I experienced SI. It came and went. I know every one is different. Just wanted to give a heads up . Hope things are better for you now.

[GADMidlands]

Hi folks. Thanks for all the support and comments. I've certainly levelled out more and feeling more balanced. Sleeping is a bit hit and miss but i continue to take melatonin. I'm less edgy and definitely not fearful of having to restart the pills. Good luck all, stay strong.

[flossyr]

hi there, not sure if you're still on this platform, but i was really interested to hear your experience of Venlafaxine. i'm still on it, and have been for about 14 years. i take 150mg a day. if i forget to take it, within about 9 hours of not taking it i start to get physical symptons of nausea and brain shakes. i would really really like to come off it, and have recently started taking cbd oil to great effect. have you any advice? many thanks