Hi everyone. So I have been off Ven since the 11th of June. Still have brain zaps daily but the last few days I’ve been feeling like I’m getting the flu. Really weird as I feel my head is hot. I know I’m not so just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks complete since my last pill. My Dr. said I will have the zaps for 4-6 weeks. Hope they go away in the next week but right now I’m wondering if they will. Anyone have any advice???? Enjoy your evening everyone.
You can have extended withdrawal for years depending on how you taper off ven. Search Facebook for venlafaxine/effexor discontinuation and withdrawal. You'll get loads of info there.
Hi phyllis. Thanks for the reply. I was only on Ven (this time) for 12 months and the highest dose I was on was 75 mg’s. Worked my way down to 37.5 and that was that. Hopefully my Dr was right with the zaps going away after 4-6 weeks. Just so sick of feeling this way though. I would have never started this med again if I knew I would be feeling like this. I guess no one would but cant tell the futur. I’m not a member of Facebook but may join just to get some info. Enjoy ur day!!!!!
Hi again Phyllis. I just joined crackbook for the sole purpose of the forums. Ur right in saying theres lots of info there
Hi all. This is day 38 snce I took my last pill. Zaps are not as bad as when I first stopped but I do get a sore stomach and my sleep pattern is really off. But I will stick t the plan and hopefully all will normal out soon. Have a great day!!!!!!
Hi John, how did you come off? If you have been suffering physical withdrawal symptoms like this for 38 days. albeit not as bad as the beginning, then I hazard to say you came off too fast. I would like to forewarn you of the next phase of withdrawal, which is for the emotional fallout to hit three to four months out. This includes depression and anxiety, which doctors will tell you is your original condition returning and therefore you must need the meds. However, there are people that have been put on these drugs for reasons OTHER THAN depression and anxiety who get these withdrawal symptoms in that time frame, and so NOT their original condition! It doesn't make it any better to know this when it hits because people are suffering with these symptoms and want relief! I just want you to understand what it is so that you don't fall for the relapse explanation when and if it hits. Maybe you'll get lucky and it won't. Good luck!
Hi Betsy. Tks for the reply. On Mar 1st I was on 112 MG’s. I had been there for 4 months. I went down to 75 mG’s on that date. On april 20th I went down to 37.5 mg’s. And on Jun 11th I took my last pill. This was all under Dr’s supervision of course. It has been a bit of a rocky road. Even considered going back but i’m determined to get off and stay of Ven. Its a horrible drug for me. I was on it for 7 yrs(75 mg’s) and it worked great. Then one day I felt pretty crappy. Went to see the Dr and he double the dosage. Wow what a kick in the ****!!!!!! Then for 3 yrs it was bupropion followed by celexa and back to Ven for the last year. I must admit I knew absolutely nothing about AD’s!!!! I am better informed. now. To the tune of that I want off them completely. I see an accupuncturist once a week and I exercise a lot also. I read where moderate exercising can be as effective as pills so I will carry on with that. Really though the only side effect I am getting now is my sleep patterns are weird. My hands do feel like theres a 1000 needles going through them sometimes and these flu like symptoms are there sometimes also. The zaps are back and forth but yesterday I had a horrible 6 hrs with the zaps and dissyness. Its gotta come to and end sometimes. Just hope that its soon. I hadnt heard about the anxiety and depression coming back after 4 months. Not doubting your word—-jus hope it doesnt happen. Hope you have a great day and smile a lot!!!!!!