Tips/Information about withdrawal symptoms of Venlafaxine and how to manage them?

[lchapman21]

Just got off my Venlafaxine this passed Sunday with the help of my doctor. Since then I have been having wicked bad withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms I am experiencing are dizziness, headache, nausea (almost like vertigo or maybe it is vertigo), along with body tremors and shakes. I have no fever though. I am unable to drive because I get so dizzy I think I may crash. Any tips???

[Hidden]

Oh my gosh, I hear you. What dose were you on and how quickly did you wean?

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

I was on 150mg but I can’t remember for how long definitely not more than a couple months or a few months. But once I made the doctors appt to tell him I wanted to get off he had me then the following week do 75 mg for that full week then the 2nd week I went to 37.5 mg. And then I was off within the 2 weeks if that makes sense. I’ve only been on Venlafaxine for no more than 2 years. Prolly like a year and a half

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

Ok, so I was on 75 mg recently and then went to 37.25 for one week and the went off after that. I started Lexapro at a low dose while weaning. I quit Lexapro as well as it seemed to just make symptoms worse while weaning off of the Effexor! It’s been three weeks since I’ve been off of the Effexor and I have been experiencing very similar after effects. Nausea was the worst one as well as some dizziness. I was able to drive ok, though. I also had terrible night time panic attacks. Over the last couple of days, things seem to be getting better. My appetite seems better and the night anxiety has been slowing down. I also had chills but no fever. I totally understand! It’s unsettling but it WILL get better. Drink lots of water and tea. I drink lemon water and peppermint tea. Eat blander foods until the nausea settles. I finally found a good article about antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and will post the link for you shortly. Hang in there! We will get through this.

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much!!! Do you have any tips for the tremors?? And yes a link to that article would be so beneficial!

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

Do you mean that you’re shaking like you’re cold or are your muscles jerking? For example, do you have restless legs?

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

It’s like shaking in my stomach if that makes sense. Like I’m not cold but I have a trembling stomach. Also I was wondering how long were you on Venlafaxine for and how are your withdrawal symptoms now like are you able to manage them more???? I just wanna curl up and cry lmao

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

I was on it for over 10 years. It’s been three weeks since I stopped it and it’s just the last couple of days that I’ve started to feel better. Do you have a good support system? I don’t really understand what you mean by a trembling stomach. Mine was just nauseous but I also had bowel issues with it. Sorry if that’s TMI!

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

It’s like my body is shaking but in my stomach. For example drug addicts experience this when going through withdrawals. It’s known as tremors. Idk how else to describe it. It’s like your shivering but not cold and you can feel the tremoring in your stomach

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

I haven’t experienced that but are you seeing your doc soon?

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

Yes tomorrow I have an appt I just made! Hopefully he can give me some answers and advice!

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

Ok, all the best. Keep us posted. You’ll get through this, hang in there. 🥰

[Essexollie in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I've been taking for 10 yrs and want to wean off. How are you doing now? Did you taper? How were the brain zaps? If I miss a dose by more than 2 hours I feel onset zaps.

[Hidden in reply to Essexollie]

It’s been about 8 weeks since my last pill. Honestly, it’s been tough. If I had to do it over again, I’d wean further from 37.5 and count beads. Also, I’d consider bridging with another drug until I stabilized. I didn’t really experience zaps as much as vertigo when I looked side to side. I’m still feeling nauseous at times and experienced a lot of night time panic attacks. It’s not fun. Everyone is different. I personally would go very, very slow. All the best and if you need to chat further, please send me a message.

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

You can ask your doctor about benzotropine (an anti tremor med) just to get information about it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Trembling only on your stomach? Nowhere else?

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

It’s mainly in my stomach the tremors. It’s so hard to explain over text haha. But yes it’s like the shaking/tremoring in my stomach only

[Hidden]

Was it discontinued slowly or abruptly? That may be the reason you are having these symptoms. And we’re you taking it with any other meds like SSRI ? Dizziness, nausea, headache, and sleep disturbances are very common adverse effects of the medication venlafaxine. Vertigo, tremors, and shakes I’m not too sure about. I haven’t heard of these side effects for SNRI specifically. I recommend notifying your provider if the tremors or vertigo worsens. My only tip is to continue not driving or doing anything that requires a lot of focus since you are feeling too dizzy. Wish I could help more!

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

Hi! I discontinued it over a 2 week time period. I was on 150mg for a couple months. But then when I decided I wanted to get off of it I told my doctor. He then had me go down to 75 mg for one week and then 37.5 mg for the second week. Then I was off of it in 2 weeks. I take levothyroxine for my thyroid since I have Hashimoto’s but that is the only other medication I take. I have an appt with my doctor tomorrow to talk to him about this but for now he told me to just drink a lot of water

[Hidden in reply to lchapman21]

Hmm ok yes I agree with your doctor because levothyroxine has the actions of endogenous thyroid hormone which can decrease blood concentration and cause you to become very dizzy. Tremors can be a sign of hyperthyroidism so that’s more likely from your levothyroxine than venlafaxine but then again, its more complicated then that. I’m glad you have the appt tomorrow. I hope the doctors appt goes well!

[lchapman21 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!!

[Hidden]

health.harvard.edu/blog/dis...

[Believeinyourself123]

Biggest thing that helped me was drink lots and lots of water. This drug is the worst come off of. I feel your pain. Is your dr doing a slow taper I hope so unlike mine. I was on 300 mg then 150 then 75 then i think 37 then off. If I remember correctly it was like make 5 weeks to come off of bnb it but as I said it was terrible. Yet it needed to be much slower. I suggest reaching out to your pharmacist about this. I'm so sorry but as I said I feel your pain.

[lchapman21 in reply to Believeinyourself123]

I was on 150mg but I can’t remember for how long definitely not more than a couple months or a few months. But once I made the doctors appt to tell him I wanted to get off he had me then the following week do 75 mg for that full week then the 2nd week I went to 37.5 mg. And then I was off within the 2 weeks if that makes sense. I’ve only been on Venlafaxine for no more than 2 years. Prolly like a year and a half

[Believeinyourself123 in reply to lchapman21]

So from what I'm understanding they did a fast taper with you aswell. I'm sorry. How are you feeling?

[lchapman21 in reply to Believeinyourself123]

I’m feeling okay today. I still have the vertigo symptoms and stomach tremors. My doctor suggested Pepcid AC and to just drinks lots of water

[Believeinyourself123 in reply to lchapman21]

Aww I suffer with vertigo too. One thing I found is they make a patch for it. I put it behind my ears and it's gone. For tummy issues Papaya enzimes and ginger chews all natural. I'm sorry. You will get through this.

[lindamine]

were you able to titrate down slowly? That is a typically difficult med to come off of. I am currently on it and have been taking my dose down slowly and so far so good. You are describing typical withdrawl symptoms and I think if you talked to your Dr. he/she could help you to do it more comfortably by taking the dose slowly lower and lower. This has been my experience with most of my psych meds. I hope this helped as I know how uncomfortable it can be. Good luck!