Getting through medication withdrawals

[HazelBun]

Hello everyone! I am currently lowering my medication, and I am so excited to be finally able to, but I wasn't expecting everything that has come with it. The medication I'm taking is called Ventlafaxine, but I've also heard it called something like effxor. I was taking 150 mg daily, until two days ago when I began to go back to 75 mg daily. It wasn't until yesterday that most of my biggest symptoms started to occur.

My ears began feel like they are ringing, I have cold sweets, my stomach feels like it is turning, and some basic flu like symptoms. I'm also exhausted and have horrible headaches. I ended up calling into work today because I couldn't function. In the end, I did contact my doctor who said that it's more than likely from my medication and that I will just need to treat the symptoms. I work from home and have been quarantining for personal reasons, so it shouldn't be Covid if anyone is wondering. Has anyone else dealt with this before? Do you know anything that helps?

Thank you for reading through this 💕

[imnotthere]

Good news: don't worry about it, withdrawals like that are really common.

Bad news: they feel like your body is self destructing.

Sorry you are going through that but only time and rest really help. There isn't a secret life hack. Just take care of yourself and listen to your body.

[HazelBun in reply to imnotthere]

Thank you!

[BlueSky125]

How long have you been taking this. It looks like 75mg is the next lower dose. I would suggest cutting back only one day per week and the rest of the days take the 150. If that goes ok then reduce a second day and so on. It will take longer , but gives your body more time to adjust to the reduced dose.

[HazelBun in reply to BlueSky125]

Good idea! I'll talk with my doc about that.

[Agora1 in reply to HazelBun]

Hazel, that first cut was to be a jump. I agree with Blue Sky in a slower approach but not without your doctor's approval. Your first concern is in doing it safely. Slow but sure will get you to your goal all the same. Good Luck xx