Venlafaxine withdrawal

[maria68]

I have suffered from depression and anxiety over the last two years.

I was put on Venlafaxine by my psychiatrist a year ago. I feel much better now but still get anxiety on waking up in the morning.

I would like to withdraw from Venlafaxine as I have many side effects. Now I’ve read it’s difficult to withdraw from this medication. Had anybody successfully tapered off ?

I would be very grateful to hear of any success stories and some suggestions as to the withdrawal levels.

Thank you.

[blackcat64013]

Hi Maria,Thank you for your post. 👍Do not try to go off medication without talking to a doctor about your plans. Usually you need to do so very slowly over a period of months (tapering doses). If you need something else, unless it is from the same group of meds, going slow is the way to go.

Wishing you all the best as you look for the best meds for you 🦘

[maria68 in reply to blackcat64013]

Thank you

[Dell12345]

Hi Maria,Thanks for your post. I'm sorry you are not feeling too good on venlaphaxine. What are the side effects you have?

I've taken venlaphaxine for years and whenever I have reduced the dose I have not found it too bad, as long as it is done slowly (i.e. maximum reduction of 37.5mg at a time, with probably at least two months in between reductions). Remember it takes around 8 weeks to feel the full response of an increase or decrease.

Interestingly I also find my anxiety is worse first thing in the morning.

[Ryanlion]

Hi, i am also on venlafaxine but its not doing a great deal for me. I have been looking into how much to taper down at a time. Most people recommend 10% of what your taking to avoid tough side effects every 4 to 6 weeks. I too would recommend speaking to your Dr first. Good luck.

[maria68 in reply to Ryanlion]

I don’t feel Venlafaxine is doing much for me now. Yes I definitely be speaking to my psychiatrist. She’s not keen on me lowering the dose.

[jencan]

I've joined a Venlafaxine withdrawal support group on facebook----there are all sorts of helpful tips on there. I'm trying to get off Venlafaxine due to extreme weight gain, despite my frugal & sensible diet.

[maria68 in reply to jencan]

Thank you I will be joining the withdrawal group. I just feel I need some advice. I put on a stone when I started venlafaxine.

[maria68 in reply to jencan]

Hi jencan, I’ve looked at the withdrawal groups on Facebook. I wonder if you can tell me the actual name of the group you have joined as you said it was so helpful.

[DeeBay]

What is your Psychiatrist recommending? I was taken off them 75mg at a time with only two weeks tapering between doses. My Psychiatrist wanted me off them quickly because I was really unwell and not in a position to be left on a lower dose for a long period of time. My withdrawal was hell and much too fast. I have been through various withdrawals from different medications and nothing was like this so I would say go slow and if what your Psychiatrist recommends sounds too much and too fast feel brave to speak up. I was not and paid the price.

[maria68 in reply to DeeBay]

I can’t understand why psychiatrists don’t understand the trouble with a quick withdrawal.

[brittd89]

Hey there,I was on it for about 15 years around 250mlg. It was not fun coming off of it and of course I came off it slow with Dr help. But it took about a month for the side effects to stop. They say it is one of the harder ones to come off of, but you can do it. Just be patient with your body’s response. Brain zaps and dizziness were the worst parts for me. I was coming off of it to try another drug but nothing has worked like it did. I am hoping to get back on it. Seeing a psychiatrist for the first time myself soon.

[maria68 in reply to brittd89]

Thanks for you reply. How did you taper off this drug? How slow did you take it?

[brittd89]

It’s been a little over 6 months ago so it’s a little hard to remember exactly. But I was coming off it and going onto a new med. it was 150mlg for a week and then 75mlg for a week a long with the new med. then 50mlg with the new med for close to a week. Then off it totally and on new med. I didn’t feel side effects until I was totally off it, but it didn’t take long, may a day to feel the effects.

[jencan]

The facebook group is called "Effexor (Venlafaxine) Tapering, Discontinuation Syndrome & Protracted Withdrawal"

[maria68]

Thank you very much!

[Kamgal5]

I’ve been on .75 on and off for around 18 years- this drug saved me. I have slowly weaned off two or three times during this period. It has to be down slow. The side effect I had was brain zaps- they would last about two weeks- meditation, yoga, deep breathing and exercise helped. I am currently on 37.5 and may not go off it until I get through menopause- my Dr. Told me to stay on it until then, since it is now being prescribed for menopause symptoms. Try staying at 37.5 for awhile and see how you feel.

[lynzer]

I had a bad experience with it. I did taper off using a schedule my doctor put together for me a d mow I’m fine. Sorry, can’t remember how ling it took but ask your doctor to help you.

[maria68 in reply to lynzer]

Thank you