Reducing venlafaxine after 20 years

[Natsteveo]

I asked my doctor if I could reduce my venlafaxine I’ve been on it 20 years and I think I’m ready to start reducing my intake I’m on 150mg a day plus propranolol of 20mg

I reckon it’s venlafaxine that’s caused most of my problems so I’m starting to reduce it today

Has anyone ever come down or come off them completely if so what happened what was your outcome

Thanks nat

[kenster1]

hi nat hope your ok good to hear that your reducing the medication I am the same I feel for sure they have made me worse.wishing you well for when you start.

[Natsteveo in reply to kenster1]

Thanks kenny I reckon for sure it’s down to my meds just these last 6 months I’ve had rapid heart rate like 104bpm !!! My dr said it’s because I’m on propranolol which is a beta blocker and helps with tachycardia and venlafaxine gives you rapid heart rate so I’m in between with both of it

Loadsa love Nat xx

Stay safe kenny

[HealthAnxietyGuy]

Hi Natzsteveo, I myself have come off Venlafaxine twice but I was only on it for 6 months and 1.5 years. I recommend to do it much slower than what the doctors usually tell you. I did it much slower and believe that's why my withdrawal symptoms weren't as severe. They usually say to begin the medication gradually because they say it can take as much as 4-6 weeks to take effect. Yet when coming off they usually taper ever few weeks. I would recommend to taper the smallest amount of 37.5mg every 6 weeks or even more if you want. Certainly since it's been 20 years. I've heard many people say the longer you stay on the harder it is to come off. The hardest part for me was going from 37.5mg to 0. I had a weird head feeling and brain zaps, as well as some nausea. I also felt some anxiety.

I really recommend afterwards to try a probiotics supplement as this helped me tremendously with my mental health and overall health as well, along a healthy diet. I also recommend some cardio exercise but doesn't need to be very intense, just enough to get your heart pumping for 10-15 mins . I started really slow but increased over months of stationary bike.

There's some things I don't fully remember because my health wasn't very good during the time, and I felt like the meds weren't helping much except stopped my panic attacks, however, I was very fatigued and other side effects that I decided to sto the meds.

Good luck, God bless and message me if you have more questions.

[Natsteveo]

Hey sweetie

Thanks so so much I’m definitely going to do it very slowly that is for sure.

I know it’s going to be hard but also worth it and if I can’t cope then I will stay on them a bit longer but I feel it’s the right time myself to come off my meds I’m still going to keep taking my propranolol so hopefully will help with withdrawal symptoms

Thanks so much

Nat x

[OpenWings]

Hi Nat I just wondered how you were doing? Are you still reducing your intake?

I’m also considering coming off of Venlafaxine but when I miss one dose the withdrawals the next day are so awful. I know titrating off is different and withdrawal symptoms can be managed when reducing dosage slowly.

I’ve been taking Venlafaxine for so long I don’t know what it would be like not taking it. X

[Natsteveo]

Hi openwings

Well I’m now down to half in the morning half in the evenin and now I’m starting to get withdrawals I’m getting little panic episodes anxiety is there in the mornings hugely but when I ask my dr if I can upp them he says no so I’m kind of suffering abit at the min but hopefully it will pass . I’ve not had any bad side effects with doing it so small but I am having abit of a struggle at the moment.. I’m the same as you been on them for years it’s been 20 years plus for me

Nat