so, I'm just wondering, I've read a lot of posts about withdrawls, and I've got all the symptoms and feeling like death warmed up at the moment. Have been weaning off for three months now, and been on 37.5mg for a month. My philosophy had been that, once my body had levelled out on that particular dosage, I'd cut to the next ... so, here I am on nothing since last Wednesday (Tuesday today here in NZ) and suffering like crazy, but thinking one of two things!!. I either ride the wave, and surely, surely I'll feel better soon??? Right??? OR, to go back on the 37.5mg for longer!! But, if I do that, won't I just be delaying the inevitable?? I mean from what I've read, the side effects are inevitable no matter what I do ... I'm self medicating with pain killers, antihisthamene, and Coconut oil. Can't take Omega 3 as that by itself used to give me brain zaps so not sure what my options are here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)
Good Morning from Lincolnshire, England. Sorry you are having a bad time, in my opinion, just ride it out. It does get better. Im around 3 months free here. It was very unpleasant for me but so glad i did it. IT WILL GET EASIER!!. Around the 6 week mark, the brain zaps and nausea stopped for me. I have lost nearly a stone aswell so getting back on track. just take it easy and take every day at a time. xx
Hi Vanessa in Lincolnshire England, i was born in Gloucestershire so how lovely that you have replied to me :D.
Thanks so much for that advice, and I did think the best thing was to 'ride it out' and get this horrid, horrid drug out of my system, and the body working normally again. Funny you should mention losing weight, I notice my entire relationship with food, has altered since cutting down to the lowest dose. It had got quite unhealthy, and I had got very big.
Anyway, you're my inspiration to keep on this track ... one day at a time xo
Yes, I put 2 stone on hun whilst been on them. I wouldn't say I'm eating any less, it has just naturally come off. I perhaps have a bit more energy and am getting some zing back lol. Please just take it steady and remember the side effects arnt forever. I was a bit taken back that a main doctor brushed it all off as a bug yet another one said they would never put a patient on venlafaxine.I think even a simple small drop in the tablets brings on side effects , You are doing the right thing, take it easy and go for it. I would never use these again xx
And also, i suffered with really bad sweating on them to the point Ive had boils and sores under boobs and down below. The sweating has subsided with just the occasional sweat now. I hope this helps and I'm sure there will be more people coming along to offer you support xx
We stopped on the same day so we are at the same stage, I say just ride it out!!! I think staying on it for a bit longer is just delaying the inevitable! The symptoms will still be the same! Just keep focusing on how much better u will feel once it's out of ur system, that's whats keeping me going, take care
And also I put on 2 stone too so thinking about fitting back into my clothes is keeping me going too, the sweats are bad at the moment but I know it will get better in time
I've had that horrible sweating, jock itch under my boobs, an the boils. I've also had swollen fingers and knarled joints since being on them, with an excess in uric acid that no manner of diet and healthy living could shift. Only thing was, it - Venlafaxine - was good for IBS and my prolapsed discs.
However, I would rather be off them and since cutting down, I've dropped half a dress size and half a bra size without doing much at all. On the medication, I found it hard to function and keep the house clean, but am finding my way back to that.
Will never use this medication again, would rather battle through the worst depression than ever feel like this again, Drugs like this should be against the law!!
We're in the same waka (Maori canoe) then, paddling in the same direction - that's a comfort to me. I seem to feel better in the evenings at least, around bed time, worst luck. I do agree that staying on them is just delaying the inevitable. I gave up smoking years ago, and thought the same about nicotine patches and gum. I'm excited about all the stuff I'll have the motivation to do, once I've detoxed ... that kind of makes me happy :-)
I agree with you on that, another thing to get excited about ... I keep alternating between sweats and chills. Have been reading up on the physiological origins of 'brain zaps', which is the synapses or nerves for serotonin and norepinehrine in the brain, going absolutely mad because of the lack of neurotransmitter. Explains why Omega 3 helps so much.
That's what is keeping me going, thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel lol, losing weight and generally feeling better, I think ven just kinda numbs u but u don't really realise it until ur coming off them! Today is the first day I have actually managed to do some cleaning since I stopped so I'm hoping that's a good sign!! I still feel a bit ill but it takes my mind off it if I'm doing something!
I know exactly what you mean, I've gone five years without crying, which might sound good, but if I unpack that, it means I've gone all that time without feeling much at all. When I think back to how I had changed, I fully relate to people who just can't get out of bed in the morning, or hold down a job, or anything. I'd always been a motivated person with a clean house but I turned into a recluse in a very messy house. Thankfully I live alone, so have no one to please, but that can be a bad thing too. I think that if I didn't have pets, I'd have stayed in bed for weeks ... not because I wanted to, but because I just couldn't function! Ugly place to be.
Oh the sweats and the chills I'm getting those!! I think the ven dulls ur senses aswell, my sense of smell is really good all of a sudden!! Not good when I opened the fridge and nearly puked though coz hubby had garlic sausage in it lol
The effects on the body are pretty severe, wide spread and not to mention random. It does dull your senses, feelings, libido ... hell, I think it dulled my whole life
Yep that sounds about right!! Well I'll be interested to hear how ur getting on day by day, so keep in touch and we can compare notes lol
Sounds like a grand plan gillybean, you have a wonderful day but I am off to bed now and hopefully some marginally restful sleep
Hope u get a good rest, I'll talk to u later 😃
I too went from 150 mg then 75 mg and now 37 mg and it was like 2 weeks on and then every other day and then come down to the next lower and I've been on the 37 for 1 1/2 week and now every other day and will be out in a few days. Will be intererested in what happens but no matter what I will be done and no more, It is a very hard thing to wean off of and sorry I was ever on it.
I've weaned off Ven but not that slowly - although by the sounds of what I've read (and that's alot!) it doesn't seem to matter how slowly you do it, the withdrawals are the same?!
I'm trying to just ride it out - I'm day 14 with zero Ven) and the symptoms have improved slightly...that's a positive!
That's all I can offer really, wish I could offer more! Xx
That's encouraging to hear and yes, it does not seem to matter how long, slow or careful you are in weaning off, the side effects are inevitable - for most of us.
Day 7, and after taking a ton of pain killers and antihisthamene every day, this day is bearable. I might even get to the supermarket for much needed supplies.
Phoenixstar, you've offered more than you'll ever know, thank you xxox