Venlafaxine

[Simpsons]

Hi, has any body neen on Venlafaxine for depression and anxiety. My psychiatrist took me off it 3wks ago and i seem to ne having severe withdrawal symptoms. I'm getting severe headaches, nausea,tingling sensation in my arms and legs. I have no appetite and can't sleep. This morning i feel so weak i can't get out of bed. I live alone so have no one here to talk to which isn't helping my anxiety and depression.

[Hidden]

Yes quite some time ago I was on it and came off..struggled for quite a while..I would mention it to whoever is monitoring your coming off it, usually needs to be a gradual thing..I’m sure your p doc will be happy to advise,

Sorry you feel so bad right now..

Good wishes

🌺🌹🌺🌹🌺🌹

[Simpsons]

Hi Olivia 40. Thank you so much for getting back to me. Apart from the physical symptoms I find not being able to sleep making impossible to cope the next day. My GP is very supportive but she only given me a small amount of Zopiclone. If I don’t sleep I’m a reckless the next day.

[Hidden in reply to Simpsons]

Oh I totally am the same, our sleep is so important to us, it affects me so badly if I don’t get sleep, so sorry this is happening for you.

Did you mention the lack of sleep to your gp...so good to hear you have a supportive gp that’s a great help..

Your right about sleep and it does need addressing for you...I use meditations in YouTube by Michael sealey they help but if your symptoms are due to coming off meds you may need to speak to gp again

🌺🌹🌺🌹 xx

[Simpsons in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Michael Sealey is great but at the moment medication just doesn’t work i’m so hyped up. I was only on a low dose 122.50mg for 2 maths The psychiatrist took me straight off it and put me on Escitalopram. Now I’m tapering and am down to 12.50. I’m really sensitive to antidepressants but these withdrawals are totally new to me. Trouble is I don’t know if you agree is, if you feel physical unwell and don’t sleep it make the anxiety and depression worse. Some of the physical symptoms could be the depression and anxiety.

[Simpsons in reply to Simpsons]

Oppps sorry meditation 🤪🌺

[Hidden in reply to Simpsons]

Hi.

Yes I do agree with you. It makes me feel worse without sleep and feeling physically unwell...

Maybe chat to your doc about it...

I do hope things improve quickly for you xx

[Simpsons in reply to Hidden]

Hi . Thanks for your reply. I have emailed ( am I blessed or what that she gave me her email address!!) and has advised me what to do before I see her on Monday. Hopefully things will improve soon. Thank you so much for your support and understanding 🌺🌺

[Hidden in reply to Simpsons]

Oh that’s good...

Hopefully soon you will sleep better and find some peace...

Sending good wishes to you 🌺🌹🌺🌹

[Simpsons in reply to Hidden]

🌹🌺🥀xx

[Dolphin14]

I'm on it.

I'm not sure how slow your taper was. As Olivia said it has to be done slowly.

[Simpsons]

Hi Dolphin 14. Thank you for response.....very kind of you to get back to me. As you probably can see I was tapered from a relatively low dose. I just seem to be really sensitive to antidepressants and if I don’t sleep i’m - - - - - -! if you get my drift. I’ve emailed my GP so hopefully she’ll give me some more Zopiclone while i’m Coming off this dreadful drug.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Simpsons]

I have read a lot of posts here on how hard it is to come off of.

Sleep is a huge issue. We definitely need it.

I don't sleep well, it's a huge problem.

For sure see what the md has to say. Good luck with all of this.

[Simpsons in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you 😊🌺

[Believeinyourself123]

That drug is the worst when it comes to wuthdrawls. I feel your pain. I was on the highest dose and weaned off of it. Took me ober a month to be free of that drug. Lots of water helps flush it out of your system. The withdraws do eventually pass but it sucks. Im sorry. I begged my drs for 4 years to be off of them an no one would do it until i saw a new Dr. I hope this helps. Hugs❤

[Simpsons]

Hi Believeinyourself. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. That’s dreadfully that you had to beg to come off it! I am very grateful that i’ve only been on a small dose for a short while, hopefully it will be over soon. Thanks for you tip re drinking plenty of water....will go and stick my head under a tap 🤪

[Lulu421]

Glad you spoke with your doctor. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with the horrible discontinuation syndrome associated with venlafaxine. There are a number of SSRIs and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine) that can cause this and the key is to taper off as slowly as possible. I’ve been through it myself so I feel your pain! One thing I found that helps while tapering off something such as venlafaxine, is taking an additional antidepressant like Prozac (fluoxetine), which has a longer half-life and is not known to cause horrible withdrawal symptoms, as it takes longer to exit your body. So after you taper off of the venlafaxine, you can continue the Prozac but then taper off it as well. With the Prozac having a longer half-life, it will allow for a much smoother transition and you should not experience any discontinuation syndrome. I found going about it this way made a huge difference in how I felt. Best of luck to you. ❤️

[Simpsons]

Hi Lulu421. Thank you so much for your reply. I have been tapering and am down to 18.75, so hopefully almost there. I’m also taking 5mg of Escitalopram which I think my GP will increase next week. I’m finding it hard not to isolate which I know is really bad for me. It’s all to do with the way I feel physical and mentally, plus it doesn’t help that I live alone. Reaching out to guys like you is really helping, THANK YOU 🌺💓xx

[Sallyderek]

Hi Simpson I have been on Venlafaxine for around 5 years now, I take I think 225mg a day. I have read reports that it can be worse than coming off of Heroin, so I think you are doing wonderfully ( I think I may just stay on them😫)

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Hi Sallyderek. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, it really means a lot. I have great support from my GP and friends but its impossible for them to understand mental health. 🌹❤

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

Hi Simpson.I didn't really understand mental health until I became a sufferer, it's life changing isn't it😫

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Sadly it is. I hope you have a good support network?

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

I do, hope you have that too...

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

I’m so blessed that I have. Great GP,who’s even given me her email. Work who let me come in when I want. I’m also in AA, which is an amazing organisation, very loving and understanding.

[Barbasol in reply to Sallyderek]

Right now I take 225 mg in the morning and now take it at night also! I feel kind of spacey but have only been on it since Thurs! Doesn’t that seem like a lot?

[Sallyderek in reply to Barbasol]

450mg a day🤔I thought the max dose was 300 x

[Hidden in reply to Sallyderek]

It is! My PCP had inadvertently raised mine that high thinking I was taking XR while I was actually taking the old standard twice a day formula. I took it for over a year before a new psychiatrist caught the mistake. It's been horrible coming off of it. I'm finally down to 100 mg 2/day but we've frozen the taper there for a while since I was suffering such side effects during the tapers

[Simpsons in reply to Barbasol]

I'm not certain about doses, each of use is different. Could you check with you doctor? I think its important you're on the right dose and for you peace of mind. x

[Kkimm]

Hi

Really hope you are feeling better by now and that escitalopram works well for you.

Like Sally I am on Venlafaxine and it has worked well for me and am hoping I will not have to come off it as I have heard how difficult it is. I am also aware that Prozac can help in the process and that tapering extremely slowly is important. I do not know why doctors do not always seem to realise this.

Very best wishes

Kim

[Simpsons in reply to Kkimm]

Hi Kim. Thank you for your reply and kind encouragement. I guess the doctors dont understand because their not going through it. They seem to work it out on how long it stays in your system and not think what its done to your brain. I am a recovery alcoholic and know it wasn't just the time it took to leave my system. The withdrawal took a lot longer! But i got there and will with this ☺. Once again thanks ♥

[Janebee]

Hi I have been on venlafaxine for five years and as far as I know you have got to wean yourself of them I think you need to see you GP again and let her know how you feel.I hope you get everything sorted out you are in my prayers

[Simpsons]

Thanks Janbee. I am really blessed that i have a wonderful GP. I saw her on Tuesday and she's seeing me again on Monday. She's given Zopiclone and Diazapram to get me through the withdrawals. Thank you so much for your kindness ♥

[Ellie5187 in reply to Simpsons]

Just be careful with those meds. Diazapram and zopiclone . Withdrawal can last a very long time if not tapered slowly enough and sometimes even if it is tapered slow enough it can still last a while. Benzos such as Diazapram can be even more difficult to taper off of and rebound insomnia from ambien and benzos can occur so hopefully you don’t have to stay on them very long. I’m sorry for your struggles. I have terrible insomnia from withdrawal as well.

[Simpsons in reply to Ellie5187]

Hi Ellie. Thanks for your reply. I will be very, very careful with the Benzos and Diazapram. Fortunately my GP is very strict on handing them out, and I know about the rebound insomnia. I just read your post from a while back talking about how as your falling asleep something kicks in to stop you. That’s exactly what’s happening to me and seem to start when I started tapering off Venlafaxine. I have the Diazapram but am not taking them, it’s kind off a security blanket thing if you understand. I have only been on Zopiclone for a couple of weeks and plan to split it tonight. Thank you so much for your reply. By the way love the dog in your picture! Is it a Boston Terrier? 🌺

[Odd1]

Yes i have but it did not help i did not like how i felt so i quit taking them. I dont think i took them long enough to feel any withdrawl effects. They put u on all this other stuff instead of clonazepam and other meds in that family saying they cause dependence. But the other stuff they put you on is way worse when you stop taking them. Sorry you felt this way

[Moknows1961]

I was taken off of it slowly and was given ativan to help. Didn't have many problems..so sorry you are dealing with this..

[Simpsons in reply to Moknows1961]

Hi Moknows. Thanks for your reply and encouragement. My GP has given me Diazepam and Zopiclone to help. I'm trying not to use them too much having seen first hand what they can be like if you get dependent. Again thanks for your kindness.

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

Hi my husband has taken diazepam for many years but takes them depending on if he's having a few beers or not. When we are abroad he doesn't take them at all and there are no withdrawal symptoms for him x

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Hi Sallyderek. That good that he has not become dependent on Diazepam. I work at a GP surgery and have has patients verbally abusing me when their script isn't ready. I also witnessed a patient attach a nurse with scissors when she was denied a Diazepam.

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

Oh my word that's shocking. Derek can go a lot of the summer without them so he gets a backlog of them but by winter he will have to take 4x the prescribed dose so it sort of works out well🙂

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Hi Sallyderek. Sounds like Derek has it sorted. I'm pretty much the same. If my anxiety is ok i don't need them and don't want to take them. Trouble is at one time Diazapram was the wonder drug and they were handed out like sweets. The patients i know have been on them for years and have become totally hooked on them. Its really sad seeing people that way and can totally understand how they feel.

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

Hi Simpson. I have to say that when my anxiety is bad I will also drain Derek's supplies but the worse thing is I take all his sleeping tablets and trazadone so I can sleep.... Bloody anxiety😫

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Hi Sally I’m really sorry my heart goes out to you. I am a recovery alcoholic and gave up booze in 1987, had a couple of blips along the way. Form the last four years of my drinking it was 24/7. The problem was I just needed more and more. I think Diazepam and sleeping pills are the same. I know of one woman who is on 30mg of Diazepam each night because it just stops working so you need more. Could you feel you could ween off them very very slowly. I know at the worst of my drinking my paranoia was through the roof! Sending you a BIG hug!🌹

[Sallyderek in reply to Simpsons]

Ah bless you darling but a huge well done to you for getting off of the drink. Drink is a terrible depressant as I know if I have drunk a lot the next morning my anxiety is through the roof. I lost my best friend to drink five years agora drink and the reason she drunk so much was to calm her anxiety so the more she drunk the worse the anxiety become, so in the end she was on it 24/7 also. You must be so strong to have got I'm going to listen to what you say and slowly reduce my intake and see how it s goesthanks for that... Much love X

[Simpsons in reply to Sallyderek]

Hi. Well done for thinking of trying to reduce your in take, I admire you! It made me feel so much better about myself. Have you got anyone who can support you? I myself go to AA regularly. I’ve made a lot of good friends who are very supportive and totally understand my thinking. They’re totally non judgmental and I know some people are put of when god is mentioned but it’s not to do with god in the traditional sense. It’s far more of a spiritual programme. So sorry to hear about your best friend, it’s heart braking. The power alcohol has when you become addicted is really evil. I hope you have managed to move on from the lose. Much love and wishing you all the best. Keep in touch and let me know how you are 🌺xx

[Eabxj28]

I think it has been taken off the market ,my sister had to come off also and put her on mirtazaphine

[Simpsons in reply to Eabxj28]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Don't think it's been taken off the market in the Uk. I'm coming off it because it didn't agree with me.

[Hidden]

I've had the same symptoms plus vertigo, "brain zaps", agitation, trouble walking, etc for five months. I was on Effexor (Venlafaxine) for 22 years, plus for the past 15 months they had me taking twice the recommended dosage for some reason. As the doctor started tapering me down to a normal dosage of 250 mg/day, 25 mg at a time the symptoms started. We've continued to taper the dosage I'm now down to 100mg 2 times/day but we're going to hold it there for a while and try to get the symptoms to level out somewhat. It's pretty horrible stuff to go through so I feel for you. I thought I was going nuts till I started finding other cases like mine on the internet. Started looking for medical journals and articles on the subject and it seems this is way more common than I had thought. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Some people get over it in 5 days, others have symptoms years later. I just hope that things return to some sense of normalcy soon. It's a proverbial hell.

[Simpsons in reply to Hidden]

Hi FlyFishingGal. My heart goes out to you and I wish you all the luck in the world. I count myself lucky that I wasn’t on it for long and not at a high dose. Even so the side effect weren’t fun. I’m now clear of it and feel so much better. I just keep saying to myself it will be over at some point and will be worth it. I also try to keep things one day at a time and not project tomorrow,next week, etc. Keep telling yourself you can do it and it will be SO! worth it 🌹