I've been on Venlafaxine 150mg for two years! I've cut back to 17mg a day! I'm itching all over, terrible headaches, sleeplessness and generally feeling like I've got a bad cold! It's taken 4 months to get to this stage! I can't stand these headaches, it's all down one side of my head behind my ear and right into my neck! Can't move onto another medication until Venlafaxine is out of my system doctor says! I tried Mirtazapin while coming off but they made me feel as though I was walking through a fog! The dizzy spells and brain zaps have now thankfully eased and the anger and tears. Anyone else have these slide effects? The head pain is awful!
You have reduced pretty quick. I am on 150mg and not reduced but know people that took a year ormore tapering off that dose and still struggled.
Docs always seem to take people off too fast.
Why are you coming off to go on another ?
I never felt well on them! They would suddenly cease working on the receptors and I'd have a massive anxiety attack! Lost complete faith in them!
They do! When I first discussed coming off Venlafaxine the doctor suggested I go home and immediately cut the dose by 50%! Working in the mental health industry (mental health NHS hospital) in Cardiff I knew the withdrawal effects would be horrendous, did it my way, shaving a little bit at a time! Even then the effects were nasty! The headaches now are excrutiating! Apparently the last hurdle can often be the most uncomfortable as the body is craving for the drug!
Hi Shirley
I too was on 150mg venlafaxine for 2.5 years. I decided to come off because I had been well for a good 2 years. Doc advised 75mg for a month, then 37.5 for 2 weeks, then 37.5 every other day for 2 weeks, then 37.5 every third day for 2 weeks, and then stop. I had no side effects coming off them but started feeling very down and a low mood after a couple of months. Thought I'd get over it but sadly didn't, anxiety got worse and started affecting my everyday functioning, just as it had 3 years ago when I ended up in hospital. Have gone back on venlafaxine 4 weeks ago and am waiting for them to kick in, so am taking diazepam to get me through.
I realise now I came off too quickly. If you look on the venlafaxine summary, you will see a reply I had from purpledoberman and how she successfully weaned off. Doctors take you off too quickly.